Top 15 Habits of Highly Effective Job Seekers

October 17, 2014

Who am I? Mark S. James, CPC Over 25+ years as an Executive Recruiter and

Career Management & Transition Coach. President of Hire Consulting Services Certified Personnel Consultant awarded by National

Association of Personnel Services in 1998 Host and Facilitator of the ExecuNet Meetings in

San Diego and Orange County since 2005 Creator of The Career Catalyst Blog Motto: “Job Security is the Ability to Secure a Job!” Slogan: “Find, Assess and Hire Great Talent!”

Trends & Conditions The average 40 year old has changed jobs 10 times.

(every 18-38 months = 2.3 years) 1M people turn age 60 every year in U.S. 15,000 people celebrate their 65th birthday – EVERYDAY! By 2020 there will be 20M new jobs and only 14M people

to fill them. 69% of U.S. companies have less than 100 employees. 60% of people do 2 things after losing their job:

1. Call friends and family2. Get on the job boards and post their resume

85% of all jobs are never advertised!!!!! Most job seekers have no job search plan at all! 1 out 20 people have gone through interview training Most job seekers are unrealistic of job market in relation

to their skills!

Habit # 1 Understand Hidden Jobs?

“Hidden jobs are hidden only from those who have their heads stuck in the internet job postings.”

Hidden Jobs are Not Hidden! Can you raed this? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.

I cdnuolt blveiee that I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd what I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in what oerdr the ltteres in a word are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is that the frsit and last ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can still raed it whotuit a pboerlm. This is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the word as a wlohe. Jsut oepn yuor eeys and you can see taht jbos are not rlaley hdeidn!

Habit # 2 Act Like a Detective in Murder Mystery

Hidden Jobs are non-published, non-advertised, little-known collection of newly created roles, openings and opportunities that only insiders, attorneys, accountants, golfing buddies, neighbors, alumni, consultants, service providers, managing partners, company owners, company officers, board members, board advisors, and C-suite executives know about right now.

Habit # 3 Believe Change is Constant!

The Hidden Job you are seeking is right around the corner. For every door that closes – there is another one that just opened.

Good companies always need good people! People are always getting fired, riffed, transferred,

recruited, promoted, demoted, downsized, re-assigned and confidentially replaced. They can retire, die, relocate, resign or simply quit to start their own company.

Tip: Subscribe to your local Business Journal and follow the news, trends, and “People On The Move”.

Habit # 4: Stop Being an Applicant The world has changed, the deck chairs have

been re-arranged and it’s time to begin managing your professional career.

Get over the unemployed syndrome Stop telling people you are looking for a job “You are in between career opportunities” “You are in career transition” “You are being very selective in choosing your

next role, assignment or project” Your attitude adjustment starts right NOW! You are GREAT Talent For Hire! Never Settle for anything Less!

Habit # 5

Adopt a New Empowering Identity “The Ultimate Power is to Know Thyself” Socrates

Distinguish yourself by knowing “Your Highest and Best Use” to any organization.

What is your brand, slogan, motto or mantra? Are you forgettable or memorable? Truly understand and discover your P.L.A.N.

Passion (your highest and best use = expertise)

Lessons (what you’ve learned & how you’ve grown)

Accomplishments (your top 8 career wins)

Needs (People + Challenge + Balance + Worth)

Habit # 6 Master Your Messages

Have your resume professionally developed and by an expert resume writer

Develop a kick-ass and dialed-in elevator pitch Must be able to answer the following questions:

1.Who are you and what is your BRAND?2.Why you are in transition? 3.What is your ideal organizational role?4.How are you a great fit for that role?5.What’s in it for the company?6.What are your target company names?

Habit # 7Develop Advocates to Refer You

“It’s NOT what you know or who you know?....It’s who knows you and what they are saying about you?”

Your Top 12 networking contacts need to be educated about who you are and what you do RIGHT NOW!

Learning the correct approach on how to network like a master is essential for a healthy career! LEARN HOW NOW!

Habit # 8 Time to Get More Social

Many positions and opportunities are publicized often on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Social networks are untapped gold mines filled with unknown and hidden information, ideas, tips, leads, and referrals to your target contacts, companies, and job opportunities.

Use the “Advanced Search” tool on LinkedIn Optimize your LinkedIn profile to 100%, because it’s

the #1 search tool used by Executive Recruiters.

Habit # 9 Research Your Targets

Office Locations Affiliates - Divisions Products & Services Customers Served Philosophy - Vision Current - Recent News Financial Information Review Website Get Annual Report &

Product Literature Management Team &

Board of Directors

Habit # 10Internal Referrals Rock!

Many HR Managers and Executives (the hiring authorities) prefer getting internal referrals because once they publicize the job, they will be inundated with resumes, many from unqualified candidates, and they will have to process those resumes.

Candidate referrals from known and trusted employees is the #1 company preference when hiring new employees. So, reach out to your employed networking contacts and secure more inside referrals!

Habit # 11 Know Any Good Headhunters?The #1 reason companies use search firms?

CONFIDENTIALITYExecutive search recruiters are busier now more than the past 7 years on search projects that are not publicized or even known outside of the executive office and boardroom.

Tip: Get the Directory of Executive Recruiters for $60 in most bookstores. It comes with a CD to access over 100k search firms online!

Habit # 12Five Job Interview Mindsets

1. Be a Buyer – Not a Seller Mindset

2. The Doctor – Patient Mindset

3. Your First Day on The Job Mindset

4. The Independent Consultant Mindset

5. The Winning Lotto Ticket Mindset

Habit # 13 Negotiate what you are worth

Don’t go first – you will lose leverage Keep the main thing – the main thing (Establish priorities

on what matters most) Your decision is not all about the money….. 1. People 2. Challenge 3. Balance 4. Worth Be realistic and think WIN – WIN – WIN Your goal is always to remain whole Expect to make a counter-offer at least once Justify your worth based on your contribution factors and

past performance proof Pretend you are employed and never cave for less Get a severance/separation agreement (6-12 months) Get EVERYTHING in writing

Habit # 14In 2014 - Party Like it’s 1099!

Especially in a weak economy, employers often turn to interim managers, independent contractors, and project-based consultants to meet short-term goals, and many do so without publicizing their immediate needs.

Many companies are hiring professionals for projects on a limited or interim basis while they decide if the time is right to make a new permanent hire.

Form 1099 contract agreements sometimes result in jobs that never hit the job boards or are even known by the Human Resource department.

Habit # 15Re-Active vs. Pro-Active?

Self-Managed Job Search?

Read a Book – What Color is Your Parachute?

Hire a Professional Career Transition Coach?

Have Your Resume Professionally Developed?

Get Mock Interview Training?

Get Hired Now…or Later?

Job Security is the Ability to Secure A Job!

Thank You!Connect with me:

Mark S. James, CPC Founder and President Hire Consulting Services Website: www.HireConsultant.com Phone: 760-230-4301 Skype: mjames444 Email: mjames@HireConsultant.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/markjamescpc Blog: coachingcatalyst.blogspot.com Twitter: HireConsultant