Job Search Tips for 2012

Job Search Tips for 2012Presented by Bernie Frazier, SPHRSt. Louis Childrens Hospital

The Bad News!Todays Labor Market (ugh!)

Number of entry-level job applicants 2x and 3x normal levels over the past two years

StatusResultSourceNoteCurrent Unemployment Rate8.2%(12.7M)BLS, 3/2012All persons filing an unemployment claim within the four weeks preceding surveyCurrent Underemployment Rate6.1%(10.2M)BLS, 3/2012Part-time: Hours were cut or cant find full-time work

Marginally attached: Not in labor force Wanted and were available for work Had searched in prior 12 months Not considered unemployed because had not searched in four weeks preceding survey2The Good News!The unemployment rate for workers with at least a bachelors degree is.. 4.2%Source: BLS, 3/2012So, what do you do?

YOU, Inc.$250 million in annual sales#1 customer generates 50% of your annual salesTop sales person services your top customerThings are going well..until your top sales person gives you his/her letter of resignation!

Who will be his/her replacement?#1: Think Like a Recruiter

Do You Recognize These Dates?9/11/20019/30/2009Im sure all of you know and remember the one on the left, but how 9/30/2009? No?

9/30/2009 is the day I got laid off from my job. I headed up the recruiting department for a global public relations firm and had been there for 2.5 years. Well, on 9/30/2009 they decided they no longer needed my services so they let me go.

7What About This Date?12/4/2009How about this date? Still no? Boy, you guys arent good with history at all, are you? LOL

This is the date I was offered a job. Full-time, at the same level and same salary as my previous job - exactly 9 weeks, 2 days after being laid off. It made my layoff feel more like a long vacation!

How did I do it? Because Ive been a duck for years, I knew how to attract ducks and thats what I teach others.

Unfortunately, there isnt enough time to share everything I know in this session, but I want to give you some highlights.

8#2: The Old Rules Have Changed,Accept it and Move On! Dont be ashamed that you were laid off!The newspaper classifieds are dead!Job boards are not king!Recruiters probably wont call you back! 19972012!Show of hands:

How many of you have spent more than 20% of your time on the job boards? - Monster, CareerBuilder, Indeed

How many of you have tried to get to a recruiter or get a recruiter to call you back and you have not succeeded?9#3: Do Your Homework

30 Seconds of FameIndustries and CompaniesInterview PrepNetworking Opportunities#4: Project a Positive Attitude

#4: Project a Positive Attitude

#4: Project a Positive Attitude (Pulse Check)Have you spoken negatively about your former employer (company and/or boss) to a potential employer or key networking contact? How often?

Do you dwell on the negative about your last job with your family, friends, and close professional associates?

Do you laugh/smile when speaking of your last work experience, or do you frown/roll your eyes?

Are you optimistic or pessimistic about your future?

Do you display a can do or cant do attitude to others?#5: Know What You WantIf you dont know where you are going, any road will get you there.~Lewis Carroll~Spend some time in reflectionAsk and answer the tough questionsConduct researchSeek assistanceWhen you are unclear on your desired path, it comes across to a seasoned recruiter. We can tell in your conversation and your responses to our questions. This makes you appear unorganized, unclear and desperate. NO ONE WANTS TO HIRE SOMEONE WHOS UNORGANIZED, UNCLEAR AND DESPERATE.

Some questions to ask yourself:What do I enjoy doing?What am I good at doing?What do I not enjoy doing?What do others say Im good at?14#6: A Good Resume is Your KeyGood defined:

Relevant experience, education and skillsUser-friendly for your audienceFree from typosInformation is accurateUse great action words.

Implemented vs. StartedCollaborated vs. Worked withModified vs. ChangedConstructed vs. Built#7: Develop a Personal BrandPersonal Brand defined:The process by which we market ourselves to others

Cover Letter , Resumeand References30 Secondsof FameWardrobeOn-line ProfilesPortfolio of your workand accomplishmentsYou can be perceived like this.E-mail AddressVoicemail GreetingJust like its important for companies to brand and market their products and services, its critical that you brand and market.YOU! Remember this YOU ARE YOUR BRAND!!

Like companies market their brands in various ways (TV, print, radio, internet, philanthropy), you must do the same. Here are the keys ways to promote the brand called YOU:Written Materials: cover letter, resume and reference documents (use like headers, fonts and layouts)Portfolio: professional looking, nice covers, your best work (not everything youve ever done)30 Seconds of Fame: consistent with cover letter, resume, on-line profilesWardrobe: first impressions are lasting impressions; what impression are you giving off?On-line Profiles: if you dont have any, you must get them!; LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook are key; make consistent with other brands about you

If you dont tend to these areas, you will be perceived like this16#7: Develop a Personal Brand.or you can be perceived like this30 Secondsof FameCover Letter , Resumeand ReferencesPortfolio of your workand accomplishmentsWardrobeOn-line ProfilesE-mail AddressVoicemail GreetingIf you place effort in these areas, you will appear to be much more prepared and polished than many others.17#7: Develop a Personal BrandWhat do you think when you see

This This

vs.

vs.

vs.

Branding always creates an image of the person or thing thats being branded. Determine how you want to be perceived and then brand yourself to fit that perception.

If you dont believe in the power of branding, take a look at the following18#8: Embrace Social Networking

Quiz Time!Q: How many people are on Facebook? 800+ million Source: Facebook Statistics

Q: How many people are on LinkedIn? ~150 million Source: LinkedIn Press Center

Q: How many people tweet? 100 million Source: CMS Wire, 10/18/2011

Q: Which site is tops for finding a job? Why? LinkedIn.Thats where recruiters are!

#8: Embrace Social Networking20#8: Embrace Social Networking

Quiz Time!Q: Name 4 ways to use LinkedIn to find a job. 1. Build out your profile and use key words2. Connect with people directly3. Join groups to connect with people4. Use your Update area

Q: Name 3 ways to tweet your way into a job? 1. Follow targeted others to build up your following2. Tweet your status3. Use Tweetdeck..

21#8: Embrace Social NetworkingWelcome to Twitter Land!

22#8: Embrace Social NetworkingWelcome to Tweetdeck!

23#8: Embrace Social NetworkingTweetdeck.so what?

24#8: Embrace Social NetworkingTweetdeck.so what?

25#8: Embrace Social NetworkingTweetdeck.so what?

26#9: Network, Network, Network80% of jobs are filled through networkingABC News

Renew your mind and make it fun It will cost you time, money and energy Be confident and optimistic Have your 30 Seconds of Fame readyLike most things in life, networking is merely a matter of perspective. If you approach it with a positive frame of mind, youll have a positive experience.

Nothing in life, worth having, comes free..get over it! However, it is indeed worth the investment. How much more will you spend if youre out of work 9-12 months because you dont have a good network?

Start with the people you already know family, friends, professional colleagues. Now is not the time to be shy or ashamed you need a job!

No one wants to deal with (or refer!) someone whos negative or appears to be desperate. Others WILL sense your negativity/desperation so be careful in what you give off.

Some people call this your Elevator Speech. Either one is a good name. The thing to remember is you may only have 30-60 seconds to make a good impression and communicate what you want, so dont waste it by not being prepared. Convey who you are and what you want.

Be focused. For many this is an intimidating and daunting task up front, and without an agenda, you could easily come across as scattered and unsure. If you layout a clear agenda, it will help to keep you focused on the main things and show your audience you have it together.

Whatever recommendations you receive, always follow-up and follow through. If people find out you dont follow-up on the tips they gave you, the tip jar will dry up.27#9: Network, Network, Network80% of jobs are filled through networkingABC NewsHave your palm down as much as youhave it upPlace effort on networking whenyou DONT need it#10: Dont Snub the Help! Whos the help??

#10: Dont Snub the Help!Receptionists

Admin. Assistants

Maintenance Workers

Housekeeping Staff

Food Service Staff

Other Support Staff

In Summary1: Act like a candidate, think like a recruiter

2: The old rules have changed, accept it and move on

3: Do your homework

4: Have/develop a positive attitude

5: Know what you want

6: A good resume is your key

7: Develop a personal brand

8: Embrace social networking

9: Network, network, network

10: Dont snub the help

31

Questions?32Thank you!