Saturday, June 26, 2010

“Hope, Persistance Key in Job Search” plus 3 more

“Hope, Persistance Key in Job Search” plus 3 more

Hope, Persistance Key in Job Search

Posted: 25 Jun 2010 04:25 PM PDT

Columbia, SC (WLTX) -- The Richland County Public Library's Job Search Center has been open for just a week and a half, but they've seen a steady stream of job seekers using services.

Following news that the U.S. Senate did not advance a bill that would extend long-term unemployment benefits and provide Medicaid funding to state governments, many South Carolinians are looking for work.

Between the shelves of books that are filled with endless stories at the library, the people working to find jobs could tell some stories themselves.

Amber Smith is on her fourth day of searching.  She's filled out 25 job applications. Living in a group home, she finds that she is trying to beat a deadline.

"If I don't get a job in two weeks, I get kicked out, and I have to live on the streets," she said. Having just moved from Tucson, Arizona after graduating from high school in May, the 18-year-old says she has a lot to offer a potential job in food service or child care. "I'm a fast learner. I work hard, and I'm always on time.  And I'm honest," she said.

Lavar Graham says he's been trying a lot of potential employers, too. He says he's dedicated to finding work and has sought the help at the job center.

"Look respectable and act respectable," he said. The 31-year-old is seeking a job where he works with cars. Perseverance is key, he says.

"It's hard. It's very hard, you know what I'm saying? But you can't stop. You got to keep on trying. If you don't stop, you're going to eventually get what you want. Nobody's going to stop you from getting what you want, unless you stop yourself," he said.

The Job Center features free services and technology.  Classes and interview practice combined with assistance creating a resume are useful, according to Lana Hefner, Career Specialist.

"If we open up all of our resources, I think it gives them their hope, or their ray of hope, and I think that's important," she said.

The main library is at 1431 Assembly Street.  Learn more at www.myRCPL.com/career

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Job-readiness classes to be offered in July

Posted: 25 Jun 2010 09:40 PM PDT

The Stark Social Workers Network will sponsor a series of job readiness classes for residents of the northeast quadrant of the city who feel they face barriers that make job hunting difficult.

The classes will cover job search skills, résumé writing and how lifestyle impacts employment.

Sessions will be held from 10 a.m. to noon every Tuesday and Thursday for three weeks, starting July 6, at Stark Social Workers Network at 1221 Harrisburg Rd. NE.

For more details, call (330) 455-2260.

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When Job Hunting: Start at the End

Posted: 26 Jun 2010 04:01 AM PDT

As strange as it seems, if you want to excel in your career or have success in your job search, you need to "see" what the end looks like. I was recently contacted by a potential client who was eager to get started on her job search and wanted to use my services for an executive resume and cover letter.

Sounded great - except when I asked what she was targeting, she said nonprofit jobs. After further prodding, I did not get any more clarity from her other than "I want to be in the nonprofit world."

While the uncertainty in the economy may tempt you to launch a broad job search campaign, you will be spinning your wheels and getting nowhere with "one-size-fits-all" job search strategies.

Would you jump into a taxi without having a final destination in mind? In the same manner:

  • you cannot develop an executive resume without knowing what keywords and relevant content to include
  • you cannot determine which specialty recruiters to contact without knowing your target industry and job function
  • you cannot know which networking events to attend if you haven't figured out the key industry players.

What I am saying? Start with the job target.

Determine the industry, the function/level of the position, the required qualifications and experience, the actual job title(s), the top employers in the industry. Then build your executive resume, cover letter, and other career marketing documents to support your job search goals.

About the author:

Abby M. Locke is a career marketing architect, brand leadership coach, master resume writer and the founder of Beyond Glass Ceilings. She works with professional women to help them overcome job search obstacles and achieve career mastery in highly competitive, crowded marketplaces.

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Do your own recruiter searching long before you'll be job searching

Posted: 26 Jun 2010 11:39 AM PDT

The time to do this, ideally, is before you start hunting for a new job. And the way to do it is either to be discovered by a recruiter who joins your network, or to be recommended by co-workers and others who value your talents and contributions.

Kathleen T. Kurke hears from one such man who e-mails about once a month saying he loves his job but is ready to help her with connections in Texas, where he lives. He wants to help the executive recruiter now so when he's next looking, she'll be more likely to assist him.

That proactive approach demonstrates his talents as a business developer and keeps his connections strong with Kurke, national practice leader with the Starbridge Group in Fairfax. "The best time to approach a recruiter is when you're not looking for a job," she said, offering advice echoed by several others.

Get connected through co-workers, a former boss or someone on the nonprofit board on which you serve. "Referrals are the best," said Patrick Gray, a Korn Ferry International partner who specializes in government contractor searches in the aerospace and defense fields.

A third avenue in: Develop a robust online profile on LinkedIn and in your professional association or community. "Make yourself visible," says Bob Corlett, president of Staffing Advisors in the District, which recruits for nonprofit, association and entrepreneurial clients. Speak at professional meetings or serve on a committee -- and leave an online trail illustrating your professional skills.

This will make you "findable" to recruiters, Corlett says. They seek candidates by searching LinkedIn, by checking professional association sites or by Googling around for prospects.

You want to connect with a recruiter who works in your industry or at your career level. For Corlett's Staffing Advisors, that's often at the director level, including many searches for directors of HR or development. For Korn Ferry, that means mostly vice presidents and above. Some recruiters specialize in one job function, such as general counsels or graphic designers, and others focus on one sector, such as finance or legal.

Once you have been introduced to a recruiter, look for ways to make the relationship mutually beneficial and long-term. "Be a good go-to resource for discussions on issues and trends in industry," said Kurke, who is president of the Pinnacle Society, a group of star recruiters nationwide. Or as the Texas man does, offer to connect her to other candidates. "It's sort of like managing up when you work for somebody," Kurke said. You need their help -- and you help the recruiter succeed, too.

Recruiters are inundated with inquiries and resumes, so respect their time. Don't ask them for advice on your r?sum? or cover letter; that's for friends, family or r?sum? writers. And don't expect them to help you with career change thoughts.

Some recruiters will take time to meet you for a quick conversation or coffee; others don't want to see you until they have an appropriate opening. "When a search firm has a good opportunity for you, there's lots to talk about. When they're not working on a search, there's not much to talk about," said Corlett, who's been working as a recruiter since the mid-1980s. "We want to be kind and professional. . . . But I can't have 20 cups of coffee a week" with candidates.

So don't stalk them. E-mails or calls every week will turn them off, Gray said. He also tells people to be realistic about their career and accomplishments. Acknowledge to a recruiter: "I'm not right for that, but here's two people who are."

It's fine to work with two or three recruiters -- "a manageable number of relationships," according to Gray. But you need to be honest and open with each one, Kurke says, so they don't duplicate efforts or feel you're being secretive. "Share your goals and aspirations," she said, and never lie about your experience or accomplishments.

Recruiters are paid to identify people who are in demand or difficult to find, Corlett said. Recruiters work for the organization, so unless you're a good match for the employer's specifications, you won't make the slate of candidates. Said Corlett: "You could be my brother, and I'm not going to put you forward if you're not a good fit."

Vickie Elmer is a freelance writer.

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