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?