Get a good job description

I've been contacted by a number of hiring managers and agents (3rd party consulting brokers) about a "great opportunity" for a "name of a role" without actually having a good description of the required skills and experience and responsibilities. Trying to be successful at an interview without a good foundation of their expectations sets the interview to be about a 50/50 success.

I generally do my best but don't expect a good outcome if they want to go through the interview process without setting expectations from the start. This last Friday I had just such an opportunity. My feedback was that I was interested in the role but without knowing their expectations - the outcome is uncertain.

This is a more common issue in consulting than full time or part time regular employment. In the future - I'm going to write down the responsibilities and expectations as we talk about them - then follow up with a list of the responsibilities to demonstrate my understanding of their needs. At the very least - I'm showing initiative to better understand the job.

You can't hit a target with blindfolds on.

Resume "experts"

In 2002 - after a bit of consulting work and lots of waiting - I considered hiring one of those resume experts we find on the job boards.

I had previously used the Resume Doctor and for $50, my resume was reviewed and some very general comments were offered on my resume - nothing specific and nothing that popped out as "yes, that makes so much sense". About the best thing the service offered was to indicate that my "career objective" was either unnecessary or should be somewhat general unless I had pinpointed the exact title and job description I wanted. I have a variety of skills and am suited to several types of jobs.

So, for $250 I asked for the executive package. I submitted my resume and was sent an e-version of some questions about what I did at each of the jobs listed on my sample resume. What was turned around was an over marketed and quite untouchable. After a month without any responses to my job search (I had been receiving at least 5 calls and 2 e-mails of inquiry before that) - I contacted the company (10minuteresumes, a.k.a. pongoresume) and they indicated they would "work with me again" to re-write my resume but would not refund my money. They did not stand by their work and they cannot guarantee the resume they produce for you will improve your chances.

I showed the resume to a few friends and they said it felt over-marketed and out of touch for the mid level management roles or individual contributor roles I was looking for.

I returned to my original version - made some minor modifications and maintained an average level of responses.

Bottom line - if you show your resume to 10 people, you'll get 20 opinions. Most of the job boards give some pretty darn good advice on resume standards. The book I have referenced before - Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters offers some great advice and if you connect with David Perry on LinkedIn - you will get some pretty regular updates on advice, tips, motivational stuff.

here is his website link: http://guerrillajobhunting.typepad.com/

Today's affirmation: I am resilient

I have faith - how do you cope?

Being in the job market just now - particularly after a lay-off, scheduled end of contract, re-org or whatever the word of the day is - can quickly leave you feeling hopeless. There is a lot of good advice how to keep you search up. If you are a natural seller - getting out there to make cold calls, call on friends and neighbors for help - can be draining.

If your search extends for months - as mine was predicted to - you need a lot more than just your own voice saying "yes I can" and "showtime folks" to keep you up beat and positive about your next vine to grab onto.

I happen to be a Christian - and by that I mean I go to church, read scriptures, pray daily and try to follow the teachings of Christ. We are counseled by our church leaders to live within our means - and prepare for these rainy days. So my faith and hope and good cheer comes in part by my spiritual / religious system. If your Islam or Buddhist or Hindu or some other belief system - I imagine that is a major source of your daily strength.

I wonder how others glean strength knowing the news bites indicate that hope should not prevail. Like, what if you're agnostic or even atheist? Forgive my ignorance - can you be a "glass half full" person and that's enough?

I'm going to leave this blog as such and hope for a few comments from others. If you don't have a faith system - how do you cope day to day as the hunt wears on?

Peace my brothers and sisters

Get good information

I've actually been on my hunt this time for 5 months - the first 2 or so, I took some much needed down-time to rest and visit family and friends, and then study for and pass the PMP Certification exam. So for about 2.5 I've been really searching.

I've had some good success at finding jobs I'm interested in on the job boards, LinkedIn, and at company web sites that I know I am interested in. I've enjoyed reading "Guerrilla Marketing for job Hunters" by Jay Conrad Levinson and David E Perry - I've also hooked up with David E Perry's group on LinkedIn - as well as a few other job search forums for particular roles I'm interested in.

The search and "selling" process takes longer now than ever - it can take a month to hear back from some companies and even for consulting - I see companies wanting 2 and 3 rounds. People are shopping - they want a good price but not willing to give up real talent.

I believe the modern search process is quite complicated by: multiple job boards, include job search engines that duplicate your own efforts. It used to be companies hired an HR person to manage the search process - and now the HR department has scaled down - outsourcing much of their efforts (yes, to India and other countries) - and it seems mid to large organizations allow as many as 20 3rd party vendors to offer resume's in a tiered order - much like any other distribution process. You may be contacted by an "agency" of some sort and they may tell you that you are working with a tier 1 vendor of The Very Big Corporation - but that may not be true.

After I've landed an interview - I have a hard time finding out: 1) am I still being considered? 2) if not, what about my skills or talents did they find missing, 3) if I'm still being considered - when will they be making a decision. I've even been clear in an interview "is there anything about my skills or experience that you are not sure of? and where are you in your process - when will I hear about your decision?".

As the applicant - I feel very swept under the rug which means I have to work harder at being clear and moving on with my next steps to find the company who does see the value in me.

Today's Rule: DO NOT take rejection as a "no" - take it as "not this time" and move on. Don't waste another moment on something that doesn't give you new information about yourself or how to be more successful next time. Life is a journey, not a destination.

peace be with you

Interview Experience

I interviewed for a role the week before Christmas.

I'm told by a representative from the company the hiring manager would like to make a decision quickly. We schedule a 1/2 hour phone interview for a job I applied for 2 months before. The discussion goes "ok" - we talk a bit about my background, about the work environment (a bit chaotic, big personalities, tight deadlines), a bit about my strengths and weaknesses. We leave it that the hiring manager would like to make a decision quickly. I let him know I think this would be a great opportunity and that I believe it could be a great fit.

I would say the hiring manager is not a people person - likely intelligent - but not personable.

Week after Christmas I hear nothing.
First week of the new year I hear nothing... I assume I wont be called back.
Second week of the new year, I get a call by a new company rep, does not tell me what job I'm interviewing for but asks if I could be available for a live interview. Yes, we arrange for today at 9:30. I get an e-mail with instructions to their offices and some vague information about how to park in their garage. I will have a half hour with a lead recruiter and a half hour with the hiring manager.

I could have used better instructions on getting to their garage - including where their garage is. I parked in a nearby garage and was 2 minutes late for the interview. The lobby receptionists was on the phone and busy eating gummy bears... she made note that I was 7 minutes late for an interview - 2 minutes from the parking situation - 2 minutes waiting for her to attend to me - 3 minutes for her to get me badged in with 1 typing hand - cause the other was busy moving the gummy bear around in her mouth.

She calls the recruiter who is not available. I have a seat and come back in about 4 minutes - I ask if I can have the recruiters number - so I can call. She calls again and apparently the interviews were pushed out a half hour. I wait in the lobby and call a friend in the same "hunt" mode... we laugh about interviewing. How the rules only apply to the interviewee.

A few moments later - the recruiter arrives and apologizes for the changes and lack of communication. I appreciated that admission of error. I'm at east. Why is it that recruters are alwys so easy to talk to? We have a great talk and she asks me to call her tomorrow (well, maybe she wants me to).

I'm then escorted across the street to meet the hiring manager who is waiting for me. We go to an office and begin to talk. He says he probably forgot what we said 3 weeks ago. I discuss a bit of my background - he asks a few standard questions about my core strengths and weaknesses. He asks what motivates me at work; what demotivates me. He does not understand when I try to explain that I am demotivated by stagnation - but idleness. We move on. We talk about the philosophy of dealing with tight deadlines, difficult people, and the somewhat chaotic pace of most corporate work environments.

Then he asks me if I have any questions. I ask him how he deals with the chaotic pace - he tells me he observes and disconnects. On the one hand - that could mean he is a bit of a robot in those situations. On the other hand - it could mean he doesn't personalize it. I dont know if I want a disconnected boss. He could have used a better word.

I ask him what kind of a manager he is - he explains that he is demanding - his boss is demanding. I try to see if he will explain. Demanding is not the same as expecting a lot. I hope he means that he has high expectations... and that he is not great at presenting his thoughts in a positive way.

I ask him where he is in his hiring process and how he expects the rest of it to go. He will not leave me on a positive note... will not offer that I am a good candidate. I'm not feeling like I want this to be my next manager - although I like the company and the role.

I survived - but even I know this was not the one. This interview drains me for the rest of the day and I will not even allow myself to feel down about it.

How do I feel? Next!

Interview Etiquette

We hear all the time about interview etiquette - it is generally focused on the interview-ee; the candidate. These are generally:

• assume business dress, err on the conservative side (unless you are told different)
• listen more than talk
• pay attention to questions, verbal and non verbal cues
  
• use good eye contact, firm handshake, remember to smile and use a professional but open posture
• have your "elevator pitch" ready as well as 4 or 5 "home run" statements of your key accomplishments that are most relevant to the job
• be prepared for personality / culture match questions
  
• prepare to discuss your strengths and weaknesses
• have questions ready for the interviewer - as they answer the questions in the interview process check them off - only ask for clarification on the ones answered and focus on the questions not answered
• have good closing skills including asking if there is any doubt in their mind about your skills in doing the job. ask where they are in the process and let them know how interested you are at the end of the interview.

This is not an exhaustive list - and the list of all the do's and don'ts of interviewing certainly does seem to be exhaustive.

What about the interviewer? Is there a well known set of rules for interviewers? I've been in some fantastic interviews where the interviewer really gives me a chance to succeed and I've landed the job before I left. I've also been through 5 rounds of interviews with each successive stakeholder and finally bombed with the last person who was pretty sure from the onset that I was the wrong person.... I have been asked lousy questions about my detailed experience in something that was not part of the job description. When I pointed out that this was not part of the description - it was pointed out that it is up to the hiring manager to determine the final skills necessary. I've been invited to interview for whole and half days to meet the entire department - some live and others via phone conference. Each asking the same questions - each having different expectations of what the role should be or what type of person should fit the role. At the end of the day I met with the most important interviewer - I don't know how I made it through the whole day and he asked me several deep questions like "what I saw myself doing in 5 years?" At that moment - I was brain dead - I don't remember what I said nor how I made it 22 miles home in heavy traffic. I was not surprised that I didn't get the job - but I did want to know their reason... was told "the hiring manager felt I showed great inflexibility in mentioning to a couple of the interviewers that the day of interviewing was not made known to me until late the night before". And yet - I cleared my schedule for the day. Was that an important part of the role? Did they show me the same courtesy?

I've also been invited to an interview for a very important director role - met with the VP of worldwide sales - we talked for 30 minutes and he said 15 others had been rejected by the CFO. After 2 weeks - I called this guy's secretary and asked if the position had been filled or if I was still being considered. I was told to call the CFO. I left a message that I was considering 2 other offers - if they were still interested - they should invite me in for a follow up and determine if they would like to make an offer to me. Next day I'm in at 8:30 (actually 8 minutes late) and after a 20 minute interview - I was told I'd hear something by noon. By the time I got home - I had an offer.

It seems then - there may be no common standard of rules for the interviewer. If you want the job - make sure you meet their needs. All the good advice in the "job search" world might or might not get you the job.

I'm currently reading "Guerilla Marketing for Job Hunters v2.o" by ~ Jay Conrad Levinson

Jay Conrad Levinson (Author)

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(Author), David E. Perry (Author), Darren Hardy (Foreword). See if the library has this or earlier versions - a great idea book and motivator for the serious job hunter.

Hotjobs had some pretty good, quick advice on some interview myths I'd like to share:
http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-interview_myths_that_keep_you_from_landing_the_job-1026

I'd love to hear from anyone who would like to share their thoughts on interview etiquette. Great ideas most appreciated.

Hang in there!

In an instant........

The human psyche can be fooled into feelings of elation or despair. One minute you think you’re fine – then someone tells you something; they don’t love you anymore, you’re fired, or they’d like to talk to you about a new job opportunity, that it turns out you were not qualified for the job, that other candidates were more qualified, or your kid has been accepted into the honors program. Poof – sad or happy as the case may go. What is this? How do we let another person have our power of hope? I do this when I’m not paying attention. Read the news – today’s report from Reuters or Associated Press tells me the job market will not open until the spring. I’ve been waiting 5 months so far (actually – I’ve been darn busy preparing myself for new opportunities, selling myself, studying, getting certified, interviewing & networking).

Some people I have observed online have put themselves on a happiness project of sorts. They decide they will evaluate their own thinking as they respond to the world around them. Isn't this just a personal “PR” effort to put themselves on a program to remain happy regardless the situation? Yes, they establish a goal: I’m going to get a job as a blog writer, I’m going to fight brain cancer and survive, I’m going to focus on communication problems in my marriage, I’m going to be the best parent for a child with autism. Then they track their status, achievements and roadblocks along the way.

We all have a status and a cause… we may not be specific. In your goal setting and status indicating – you should be clear. This goal will take an estimated amount of time: 6 months, a year, 5 years…. So we know when we’ve reached major mile stones. Today's news, good or bad, does not affect your future. It may be a road bump - but it's temporary. You are not.

Who holds the key to your mental happiness? Some doctor who says your prognosis is not good? A hiring manager who used an HR person and a staffing agency to find you, screen you, use a short period of time to determine you wouldn’t be the next technical writer? How can they know? Isn’t your success story just ahead of you? So why do you (and I) put the key’s to our happiness in someone else’s pocket?

We’re human. And so is everyone else.

A valuable book I read that has applicability in just about any endurance setting is “The Survivors Club” by Ben Sherwood. While the book focuses on situations that are life threatening – let’s face it; many of our daily life situations can seem life threatening if we allow our brains to lose hope. I highly recommend you go to the library and read through this book and take note of the skills of survivors inherently have. If you don’t have them – practice.

Choose hope my friend

Beware Of Your Gunless Friend!
The dangerous people are not the ones Who hit you with clubs and rob you with guns! The thief won't attack your character traits Or belittle your abilities to your face! It likely will be a well-meaning friend Who merely crushes your will to win.
No, he doesn't rob you, at point of gun, He simply says, "It can't be done." When pointed to thousands who already are He smiles and says, "They're superior!" Personality-wise, and abilities, too, They're way ahead of what others can do!"
It matters not that his words are untrue For, you feel "others" must know you! So, you're robbed of your hopes, your dreams to succeed. Robbed of the material blessing received, Robbed of your faith that says, "I can." And robbed by an ignorant, gunless friend.
So, the deadliest of men is not he with a gun, But the one who tells you "It can't be done!" For that taken by burglars can be gotten again. But, what can replace your will to win?
~ Author Unknown ~

Terri's prescription for success while hunting

Love yourself:
1) have a daily routine including list of things to do and acknowledge daily accomplishments.
2) get physical, keep active and healthy
3) have a network of your "peeps" to help you through this - those who can encourage you (these people know the news is propaganda)
4) walk the dog - pet the cat - keep your pets happy
5) make a storyboard of your vision for all facets of your life
6) let people know you are looking - have your 60 second elevator pitch of what you do and what you would like to do.


Know your brand:
1) take a personality test and possibly a career aptitude test to discover what scientific evidence points to

2) spend time writing about your core strengths and situations where you have shined. Have a list of 5 major work accomplishments and make sure the action words come out (creative problem solver, idea generator)

3) network with people in your arena who have their skills well defined (search linkedin) and develop your brand "script"



5 Secrets of successful job hunters:
1) visualize: just like a marathon runner, set a goal and imagine yourself achieving it. stay focused on that goal
2) be persistent - be consistent: for every "no" you are one step closer to your "yes"
3) replenish yourself: this is an endurance test, eat healthy, get good rest, love yourself, feed your spiritual self
4) inoculate yourself against negative messages: associate with positive people, don't read the news about the general job situation - focus on yours
5) meditate: take a little time every day to focus on your vision, eliminate all the "white noise" of your search. give yourself the gift of a little quietness.


Cut expenses:

1) find ways to reduce your monthly expenses such as applying for low income rates for utilities and telecom expenses
2) shop around for lower rates on insurance
3) learn to cook and be more frugal when necessary
4) ask for a discount, let people know you are out of work

The Hunt - Let me tell you

This is the second major work outage I have had since 2001 when the dotcom world fell to the earth after the glut of 1997-2000. I should be used to this – but I will never get used to feeling over qualified and under useful. I’d like to think I’m better at keeping busy, keeping fit, reading more and making good use of the time off but so far – not probably.

In late August 2001 - I was given a severance package from Exodus Communications after 18 months of hard work trying to help them (and Global Center, who they acquired) manage their sales process, automate the sales process, offload some of their internal debt with financing partners, deal with angry sales people who went from being full of money to being broke - and manage a staff of 18. Poof - I'm not needed (actually, it was poof, our calculations say we need to drop some expense and you're it).

After this event - I took several months to rest and determine my options - and then tried to build a consulting practice over the next 3 years. I applied to hundreds of jobs, went on many interviews for both full time and contract work - was ignored and poorly treated plenty. Had 3 "we're going to give you an offer", and a few actual abuses of my time including the 8 hour interview where I was told I seemed inflexible to the needs of the company and the 20 hours of interviewing and specific advice giving and then told I was insensitive to an employee who never called while I waited on a Saturday for a special interview. Yes, its me that's insensitive and inflexible. Do you feel like a valued talent while you're looking for work? We're not diseased... just underemployed.


This blog will be my attempt at vocalizing my experiences, insight, advice and thoughts during this time. Chime in if you feel the need - alternate opinions welcome.

Good luck to you compadres - this task is not for the weak. You are a tiger you want the hiring manager to see you clearly.