Job Hunting 101

March 2010

Agenda

Today’s job marketJob hunting in the social network spaceCover lettersResumesMake yourself interview-ready InterviewsSalary/other negotiations

Today’s job market

10% unemploymentOutsourcing

Top 25% IQ of India = greater than total US population http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J28tLOpzfpA

But … Nebraska is recovering faster than many places Midwestern work ethic is highly valued University of Nebraska is well regarded Fortune Small Business: Omaha = #3, Lincoln #10 in best

places to launch CNN Monday: Papillion #3 in best places to live Forbes: Lincoln #5 in best places for business and careers

Job hunting in the social network space

Google yourself – personal Social Media Optimization strategy

Join LinkedIn Check company pages for jobs http://www.linkedin.com/companies/colle%2Bmcvoy?trk=comp_net Add APPs (blogs, photos, etc.) Make sure your account is complete

Blogs Publish your thinking Comment on relevant blogs

Job hunting in the social network space

Twitter #jobs Follow people in your desired industry Hashtags.org

Facebook Build your public profile Add relevant Apps Join relevant groups

Slideshare Photos, presentations, content

YouTube 6 billion views per month

What is a cover letter?

First impressionGlimpse of your personalityOpportunity to succinctly sell yourselfGateway to the interviewDemonstrates your level of commitmentDemonstrates your communications skills

Cover letters: advertised positions

Personalized Call HR Do NOT write “Dear Sir” or “To Whom it May Concern”

Specific to the job advertisedNOT a duplication of your resume Identify qualities that make you right for this jobAsk for an interviewDo not ask them to call you, but provide contact

information

Cover letters: cold calls

Proactive approachPersonalizedNOT a duplication of your resumeDemonstrate company knowledge Identify qualities that make you right for this companyAsk for an informational interviewDo not ask them to call you, but provide contact

information

Cover letters: referral letter

Proactive approachPersonalizedProminently refers to someone they knowDemonstrate company knowledge Identify qualities that make you right for this companyAsk for an informational interviewDo not ask them to call you, but provide contact

information

Cover letters: structure

Personalized salutationWhy I am writingHow I am qualifiedWhy I am right for this job – tailor this to adNext steps

Ask for interview Provide contact information

To whom it may concern:

Sample opening: YES

Dear Ms. Hudson, The knowledge and experience I have obtained

as a business major at the University of Nebraska and in my work

experience as a sales representative for the Daily Nebraskan make

me an exceptional candidate for the sales manager position you

have advertised in the Wall Street Journal.

Sample opening: NO

Dear Ms. Ashlin: After reading your advertisement in the

newspaper, I knew I had to contact you immediately. I am a highly

motivated person who works hard to accomplish my vision for the

future. The success of your company fits perfectly within my vision,

and I think I would be a really good fit. Also, my family lives in

Omaha and I would like to be closer to them.

Cover letters: content

Stress relevant information from classes and internships

While pursuing my degree, I have worked on many group

projects related to marketing. The most extensive project was a

collaboration among team members to implement a marketing

strategy for merchandising Guess Jeans in Spain.

My internship with Blue Cross-Blue Shield has given me the

opportunity to develop and use my marketing skills in a nonprofit

business environment. Most importantly, I have gained greater

insight into the cause of the American Lung Association.

Cover letters: content

Stress highly marketable skills Writing and oral communication skills Web design PR applications of social networking, blogs, new media Teamwork Personal initiative, work ethic, drive Ability to multi-task Ability to meet deadlines Research skills

Cover letters: content

Quantify your accomplishments Use numbers (increased sales 27%, managed the budget for

100 sorority members)

Use superlatives (first, best, largest)

Focus on what YOU can do for the company

Cover letters: content

Other tips Be positive – don’t sell yourself short (“Although I do not have

much experience …”) Be genuine Be confident

Instead of using a weak qualifier: • I believe my background provides me with unique qualifications

Use a stronger approach: • My background provides me with unique qualifications

Attribute positive statements about yourself to others• My professors can attest …

Humor is easily mis-read or misunderstood

Cover letters: content

Other tips Do not use passive voice Use strong verbs

I earned many awards (not I “received” several awards) Don’t sound desperate – your job search/desire to relocate is

your problem, not theirs Don’t be dramatic Close strongly

My resume and cover letter can convey only a limited sense of my qualifications. I will be attending the Nikon Sales Seminar in Dallas, Texas, in June and would like to schedule an interview then. I will contact you by May 15 to arrange a meeting either at the seminar or at another time. Should you wish to contact me before then, my number is 510/555-7345.

Other tips

Short paragraphsCheck your voicemail!Set up new email account if neededDon’t mention salary in your letterPROOFREAD

Dude, I’m at the bar … you know what to do …

Resumes

Easy to read; no fancy fonts Contact information up front Tailor career goal to job Work experience is most

important Focus on accomplishments,

not duties Reverse chronological order You don’t have to list

everything! Leave out personal pronouns

Be selective with college activities

Resumes

Use bullets not narrative Use key words Do not list references unless

requested Send resume as PDF to preserve

formatting Include URL and hyperlink for your

blog, Facebook page, other relevant online information

Spell check. Twice.

E-portfolio or CD

Interviews

Prepare, do your research on the company and the field

Telephone, Skype interviewsResearch typical interview questions

Tell us about a time … How do you handle stress? What do you think would be …

Dress for the jobFirm handshake, eye contactTalk about yourself!Ask questions

Interviews

Express enthusiasm for the job – ask for it!Understand how important this process is to the

interviewer Is there anything else you’d like us to know?

What is your unique selling proposition? Your personal elevator speech?

Thank you notes

Should you lobby for a job?

“Join my network on LinkedIn”Be my friend on FacebookRepeated phone calls or emailsPhone calls from “influential” people to hiring

manager

Salary negotiations

Do your homework: what is the job worth?

Delay the discussion as long as possible

(they should bring it up, not you)

Ask about performance reviews, salary evaluations and salary progression

Salary negotiations

“What salary are you looking for?”

I’m flexible – what is the range for this position?

I expect to be paid at competitive rates for this industry … I am

looking for something in the mid to high 30s.

That depends somewhat on the benefits that are offered.

That’s negotiable.

Salary negotiations

Should you take the first offer?What else can you negotiate?

Moving expensesVacationBenefits: make sure you understand the costs Flextime, telecommuting, laptop First salary review in 3 or 6 monthsOvertime, comp time, paid time for community

service activitiesParking, employee stock plans, health club etc. Tuition assistanceSigning bonus, performance bonuses

Salary negotiations

Thank them for the offer; express enthusiasm for the job

Ask for time to considerTalk it over … family, professors, friendsPrepare counter offer if appropriateDon’t make demands – this is a negotiation;

don’t think of it as “beating” the other person! Accept with gratitude and enthusiasm

http://www.salarynegotiations.com//

Questions?