Personal Reflection Exercise: Keep Your Career Separate

My career is separate from my identity.

Like most other working professionals, I spend a great deal of my time in my workplace. This is because I work in a demanding field and I want to ensure that my position is secure in the present, competitive job market.

My career is certainly an important part of my life. However, my career and my life are two completely separate entities.

Today, I can confidently say that I am the same person that I was several years before I accepted my position with my current employer.

I wholeheartedly believe that many professionals become too involved in upholding their corporate images while off of the clock.

I am only paid for a predetermined amount of time each week. My employer gets exactly what he pays for. When I am on the clock, I give my employer 100% effort. Once that time is up, I indulge in the activities that make me happy.

Status is important in this society. However, both my accomplishments and my personality determine my status. My career choice is simply an interesting part of my life.

I am a spouse, a parent, someone's child, a friend, and the life of the party. I am an individual that is defined by far more than a paycheck or a sign-in ID.

Today, I focus on non-work related aspects of my life. My family makes me the person I am. My hobbies and interests are components of my personality. However, my chosen career field is simply the way I maintain my quality of life.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I flaunt my career in order to make others respect me?
2. Have I allowed my career to consume too much of my personal time?
3. When I introduce myself, is my work the first thing I talk about?

Build Your Own List of Recruiters For Your Job Search

Now that you understand how recruiters can be important in your job search, you can build your own list of recruiters using two tools from Kennedy Information, LLC:

The first is the “Directory of Executive and Professional Recruiters.”

Available in paperback from Amazon.com, or online at recruiterredbook.com, the “Directory of Executive and Professional Recruiters” provides detailed listings about contingency and retained recruiters across 120+ industries and 84 job functions. An online edition is available for $59.95 for a one-year subscription. If you purchase a print edition of the Directory, you can also receive six months of free access to the online edition.





The listing will give you contact information for the recruiting firm, including email address and website (when available). It will also let you know which type of recruiting firm it is (contingency or retained) — and whether there is a salary minimum for candidates they work with. Many search firms will also provide a description or summary of their services or specialties, including job functions and industries they serve. Some search firms will also describe the type of services they offer in addition to recruiting — including career management, management consulting, outplacement, and/or temporary and contract staffing.

Kennedy Information also offers its “Select Recruiters” service, which allows jobseekers to customize a search to target recruiters. It is available in one-month, three-month, and one-year subscriptions. 

You can use the “Select Recruiters” service to create reports and spreadsheets to create email and snail mail (print) merges.

Use Your Resume to Update Your LinkedIn Profile

Click Here to Learn More About Leveraging LinkedIn For Your Job Search

Your LinkedIn profile should align with your resume, although the two should not be exactly the same. The work history listed in your profile should definitely match up with your resume — this is an easy check for prospective employers to make. However, your profile should complement — not duplicate — your resume.

The most important pieces of your LinkedIn profile are your profile Headline and your LinkedIn Summary. These two things are the first items a prospective employer will review. While the resume uses third-person language, your LinkedIn Summary should be a first-person narrative that appeals to a prospective employer’s needs by identifying what makes you a good candidate.

You should also use the same accomplishments that are on your resume in your LinkedIn profile, although you can elaborate on them a bit more in the Experience section. If you’ve prepared Challenge-Action-Result (CAR) statements for interviews, you may want to integrate these your LinkedIn profile in the Experience section.

Finally, make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete. Post your photo, fill out all of the sections (including current and former positions and your education), populate the Skills & Expertise section, and request (and offer) Recommendations. LinkedIn profiles that are “complete” receive 40% more opportunities than incomplete profiles.

Personal Reflection Exercise: Face-to-Face Networking

I enjoy networking face-to-face.

Networking face-to-face is an activity I enjoy. I look forward to personal meetings where I can look into the eyes of those with whom I communicate. Making eye contact with the person with whom I am speaking is exciting for me.

There is an intangible human element of connection that can only be felt when in the presence of others. I enjoy meeting new people and listening to their stories. When I meet people in person, I find that I we have more in common than I imagined.

I am better able to understand what someone is saying when we are face-to-face. Body language and gestures speak volumes to me. Likewise, I can communicate more easily to them when we are in person.

I release myself from anxiety of being in front of people because I am fully worthy of enjoying personal interactions. I am just as intelligent and capable as those with whom I interact. The people with whom I network respect my ideas.

Speaking to others over the phone or through Internet messages is superficial and prevents me from getting to know the real person behind the voice. Live meetings allow me to get to know a person better and truly feel their passion.

I enjoy networking because it eliminates questions or doubts about tone of voice, humor, and attitudes that are often misinterpreted when communicating through print. I feel that I am better understood when I communicate face-to-face with others.

Today, I choose to set up an in-person meeting with members of my network. I rise above the comfort of technology to add a human element to our communication.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. What keeps me from networking face-to-face?
2. Whom could I set up a meeting with today?
3. Why should I feel more comfortable in face-to-face meetings?

Who Should You Give Your Resume To?

Who Should You Give Your Resume To?

• Personal Contacts: friends, relatives/cousins, neighbors, parents of your children’s friends, parents of your friends, relatives of your friends, everyone on your Christmas card list 

• Community Contacts: civic and political leaders, clergy, chamber of commerce members, librarians 

• Club Members: social club, country club, swim club, health club, town club, other fans of your favorite sports team, collecting club, sports club, professional associations, trade association members, job search club members, sorority/fraternity contacts 

• Professional Contacts: your accountant, physician, real estate agent, financial advisor, attorney, banker, dentist, insurance agent, travel agent, mortgage broker 

• Work Contacts: current and previous co-workers and managers, employees of competitor companies, customers, vendors, suppliers, salespeople, former co-workers or other contacts in your industry who are retired, venture capitalists 

• Educational contacts: people you meet at conferences, conventions, seminars, and workshops, current and former classmates (elementary, middle, high school, college, graduate school), PTA members, former professors, college career center staff, alumni association contacts, coaches, school advisors, adult education course teachers

Need a professionally written resume? Visit NeedaResumeWriter.com.

Finding a Job Is A Lot Like Dating

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Finding a job is a lot like dating — it’s about finding a match between two parties (you and the company). It’s not just about money — although that is important. It’s also about helping the company meet a need that it has.

Companies hire because of their needs. This is true for all jobs — from an entry-level administrative position to the CEO’s job.

Understand the emotional motivation behind the job opening. What problem is the company trying to solve? Solving the problem can be about saving time, or building customer relationships. Positioning yourself to solve a problem.

You must find a way to stand out in a crowded job search. If you’re not known for something, you won’t be known for anything. One size does not fit all. 

The question you want to answer for the employer is, “Why should you hire me?” When employers are hiring, they really want to know: “Why should I choose you instead of someone else?” Positioning is an important part of answering this question. You can’t be all things to all employers, so you need to figure out what sets you apart.

Personal positioning is unique to you. Figure out what makes you different. Consistency in this messaging will help you throughout the job search and interview process.

You may have heard that you need to “brand yourself” in order to be successful in your career. While “branding” (which is defined as “to make an indelible mark or impression on somebody or something”) is a valuable strategy, you may be more comfortable with the idea of simply positioning yourself to be successful in your job search and career.

Many jobseekers don’t realize they have already positioned themselves — they just haven’t articulated it yet. Maybe you’re known as “the sales manager that makes quota, no matter what’s going on in the economy,” or “the engineer that can speak in language the customer understands.” That’s your positioning.

To cultivate the positioning that will help you reach your career goals, you must understand and be able to communicate what makes you exceptional and compelling.

You need to express: “I am this.” Someone who is reading your résumé or LinkedIn profile should be able to recognize you in it.

The most difficult part about positioning is sounding original. Be specific about what distinguishes you. Your positioning is not your job title. Also, if your position could be said about almost anyone with your same job title, it needs work.

It’s important for a jobseeker to stand out from the pool of applicants in order to receive serious consideration as a candidate. Personal positioning allows you to establish a clear message of who you are, the experience you have, and how you can be an asset to the employer.

Make sure your personal positioning aligns with your target company’s wants, needs, and/or values. Remember: Employers hire for their reasons, not yours!

Get Your Resume In the Hands of a Recruiter

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Working with a recruiter may be one strategy you consider in your job search. You may be approached by a recruiter (sometimes called a “headhunter”), or you may wish to make contact yourself. While you may find your next job through a recruiter, it’s important to understand that recruiters aren’t in the business of finding jobs for jobseekers — instead, they are in the business of making a match between what their client (the employer) needs, and the candidate (jobseeker) they want to place in a job opening.

Jobseekers do not pay fees to search firms. Recruiters are paid by the companies who hire them to fill a position. Because search firms don’t work for you (the jobseeker), don’t expect them to be overly responsive when you contact them. If you are a fit for a current or future opening, they may add you to their database of candidates. You will hear back from them if they have a position that fits your qualifications, or to ask you to recommend other people who might be interested in the job. Otherwise, you probably won’t hear from them at all.

There are different types of recruiters, and it’s important to understand the differences.

• Internal Recruiters / In-House Recruiters / Corporate Recruiters. These individuals work for the employer and are usually a part of the human resources staff. They only facilitate placements of candidates within their organization. (They don’t place candidates for positions outside of their employer.) 

• Contingency Recruiter. This recruiter is only paid if the candidate they want to place is hired by the client organization (thus the use of the word “contingent” in the title). They are paid on commission for job placements. If their candidate isn’t hired, they don’t get paid. Contingency recruiters most often work for employment agencies and staffing firms. 

• Retained Recruiter. These individuals are paid by the client company regardless of whether or not their candidate is hired. These recruiters are most likely to help place candidates in six-figure jobs, and may handle extremely sensitive (confidential) placements, like for large public companies as well as high-profile university or sporting organization positions. 

Approximately two-thirds of all recruiters are contingency recruiters, while the remaining one-third are retained recruiters. Retained firms are hired by a client company for a specific assignment for a specific amount of time — typically, 90 to 120 days. Usually, only one search firm is hired by the client company for a job opening. Retained recruiters are more often used to fill high-level positions (salaries of $100,000 and above). The search firm will assemble a short list of candidates that will be presented to the client company.

Contingency firms are typically used for positions in the $40,000 to $100,000 range. Because contingency recruiters are paid only when their candidate is selected (and hired!), they are competing with other recruiters to provide candidates for each assignment. Keep in mind that you might be one of several candidates being presented by your recruiter to the client company. Remember that if you are trying to keep your job search quiet, you may not want your résumé widely distributed by the recruiting firm — something that may happen if you work with contingency recruiters. Be sure to talk with your recruiter about this. You can work with more than one recruiter at a time — however, be sure to let the recruiters know you are working with other recruiters so they don’t present you for the same position. This can result in a situation where you are not considered at all for the opening, because the client company doesn’t want to get in the middle of a fight between recruiters about who deserves the commission.

Remember: the recruiter is paid by the employer, not the jobseeker. This means that the recruiter is looking for the best fit between the client’s needs and the jobseeker’s qualifications. Recruiters will not place candidates looking to make a career change. Instead, the recruiter is usually working from a list of requirements: years of experience in the position/field, certifications, special skills, competency in specific areas (i.e., computer applications), fluency in a specific language, degrees or specific training, etc. If you’re not a match, you won’t be recommended to the prospective employer.

When making contact with a recruiter about an advertised opportunity, make sure you meet at least 90% of the requirements listed for the position. Otherwise, you’re wasting your time — and the recruiter’s time — because “the match” is critical. If you don’t meet the criteria, you won’t make the cut. Recruiters — especially contingency recruiters — only present candidates who are “hire-able,” because they won’t get paid if they don’t make the placement.

Research to Prepare For the Interview

The goal of the resume is to get you a job interview. Once you secure an interview, researching and preparing for the interview is important. Like studying for a test, some of the information you can prepare ahead of time — and some of it is important to review just to be better prepared in general. Believe it or not, many job candidates don’t prepare for job interviews. Spending just 30-60 minutes (at a minimum) can improve your chances of securing a job offer.

Research on the company can be vital information that you can use to your advantage in the interview. It will also shape your ability to answer the interviewer’s questions, and can give you a strategic advantage when it comes to salary negotiation.

Think about a job interview from the employer’s perspective. They are looking for the best fit — skills, experience, education — and, most importantly, fit with the company’s culture. Focusing on the needs and preferences of the company can help you identify which aspects of your work history and background will best serve your future employer.

Like Zig Ziglar said, “You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”

By understanding a company’s needs, you can identify how you can help them in the job you’re seeking — and demonstrate why you’re the best candidate for the position.

If it’s a sales job, you’ll want to show them how you can:

• Increase sales, revenue, and profits 
• Secure new business while retaining existing customers 

If you’re applying for an information technology position, you’ll want to demonstrate your:

• Ability to solve problems 
• Skill in helping the company save money on their technology needs 

In her book “Resume Magic,” author Susan Britton Whitcomb suggests jobseekers target what she calls “employer buying motivators.” These include the company’s desire to:

• Make money 
• Save money 
• Save time 
• Make work easier 
• Solve a specific problem 
• Be more competitive 
• Build relationships / an image 
• Expand business 
• Attract new customers 
• Retain existing customers 

Keep these in mind as you prepare for the interview.

Research Targeted Employers

Now that you've brainstormed your dream employer and clarified your ideal job, now it's time to identify possible employers. How can you research these companies? 

The simplest way to start your research is on a search engine, like Google or Bing. Google the company. Visit their website, but also look for news releases they’ve published (these can spotlight new products and services that might lead to new job opportunities in the near future), and links to trade industries and other sources that can give you additional insight into the company from third parties. Publicly-traded companies also must file all kinds of disclosure documents. You can search the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s EDGAR database for some of these documents:

http://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/webusers.htm




Glassdoor is another excellent resource for “insider” company research. You can learn about the company from current and former employees.

In the green bar at the top of the home page of the site, select “Companies” from the drop-down menu to locate information on a specific employer. (Membership in Glassdoor is free, as long as you contribution information to their database.)

Other ideas: 

Find trade groups and associations within an industry, and look for participating companies. Then, check out the directory of members to identify possible employers. How can you find these groups? You can conduct a Google search, check on LinkedIn for people in similar industries and see what Groups they belong to, or use the ASAE’s free online search directory (http://www.asaecenter.org/Community/Directories/associationsearch.cfm). You can also purchase a book like “WEDDLE’s Guide to Association Web Sites” ($49.95) available online from WEDDLE’s bookstore. (Now in its fourth edition, the reference guide lists web sites for more than 3,000 associations, including whether the site offers a job board, résumé database, discussion forum, and/or bulletin board).

Search the Yellow Pages (or the online equivalent) and make a list of potential employers to research further. If you can identify the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code or North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for an industry, you can search for companies within that classification that meet your criteria. (SIC and NAICS codes are assigned by the U.S. government to identify the primary business of the company, and these classifications cover all types of economic activities, including agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, mining, construction, manufacturing, transportation, communications, utility, trade, finance, insurance, real estate, personal and business services, repair, recreation, and public administration.) You can use the U.S. Census Bureau’s website to research and look up SIC and NAICS codes: http://www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/)

Research possible employers using mailing list/database companies. Running a search on companies using a site like InfoUSA (http://www.infousa.com/) can not only help you generate a target list of employers, but you can also purchase the data in the form of a mailing list or email list, which you can then use to make contact for unadvertised opportunities.

Four Things You Must Do On LinkedIn

To get the most out of your LinkedIn profile, make sure you do these four things:

• Complete Your Profile. Your profile is the “front door” to your LinkedIn account. First impressions matter — so make sure you’ve made your profile as complete as possible. As an added benefit, your LinkedIn profile generally ranks high in Google search results for your name, so make sure your profile is up-to-date, accurate, and complete. 

POWER TIP: Your LinkedIn profile should complement — not duplicate — your résumé. Be especially careful to ensure the two are in sync, as prospective employers are likely to Google you and will compare the two.

• Grow Your Connections. There are two schools of thought when it comes to LinkedIn connections. You can choose to connect selectively, accepting invitations only from those you know and trust, or you can use LinkedIn to grow the network of people you know. You can connect with people you meet through Groups and get introduced to people you don’t yet know offline. 

POWER TIP: The power of networking lies in “friends of friends,” so the larger your network, the easier it will be to connect with someone you don’t know (yet). Remember the principal of “six degrees of separation.”

• Give To Get. Authentic, genuine Recommendations can make or break a LinkedIn profile (just like references can for a job candidate). Instead of sending out those presumptuous LinkedIn “Can You Endorse Me?” emails, select a handful of people in your network and write Recommendations for them, without asking for one in return. You will be surprised at how many people will reciprocate. 

POWER TIP: Make sure your Recommendations are specific and detailed. When reading the Recommendation, you should be able to tell exactly who it was written about. Quantify accomplishments (with percentages, numbers, and dollar amounts) as much as possible.

• Get Involved. Join some LinkedIn Groups. Groups are the “water cooler” of the social site. You can find Groups for school and university alumni, your former and current employers, trade groups, industry associations, and more. 

POWER TIP: One way to establish yourself as an expert on LinkedIn is to start your own Group. For example, you might consider starting an online job club centered around your industry or geographic proximity.

Want to learn more about Leveraging LinkedIn For Your Job Search? 

Excel in Your Performance Review

Do you feel nervous before your annual employee performance review? If the mere thought of this meeting makes your palms sweaty, relax! Here are some tips to help you prepare for this important annual meeting!

• Understand how your job fits into the big picture. Show your supervisor that you understand the goals of the company and how your job promotes those goals. Make yourself a valuable asset by working cohesively with your colleagues to increase productivity and profits.

• Seek regular feedback. Avoid letting feedback get saved up for once a year. If your supervisor doesn't share his views very often, ask if he is satisfied with the way you're doing key tasks. Implement any suggestions that you receive to show that you're eager to improve.

• Encourage two-way conversation. Listen actively to what your supervisor says. Ask for clarification if you have any questions. Accept constructive criticism gracefully.

• Take initiative. Identify needs and approach your supervisor with alternative solutions to choose from. Impress your supervisor with your willingness to go the extra mile. Look for opportunities to get additional training and broaden your skills.

• Be friendly and supportive. You may not choose to socialize with your supervisor outside of work, but it's important to maintain a friendly and supportive atmosphere on the job. Having a cordial relationship will help make your performance review and all your communications run more smoothly.

• Prepare for the meeting. Bring written notes and documentation with you. Having written materials will help you look and feel more organized. You'll also be less likely to forget any important topics you want to bring up. Outline your accomplishments from the past year. Prepare responses for any criticism that you can anticipate and share discussion points for outlining your future goals.

• Stay calm. Even if the review turns negative, try to keep your composure. If you feel overwhelmed, let your supervisor know that you'll reflect on the information you've been given instead of making any hasty remarks that you might regret.

• Evaluate the criticism you receive. Welcome constructive criticism that can help further your career and make you a better employee. If you receive negative comments that you don't believe are justified, talk them over with a trusted friend or family member. They may help you to be more open-minded. (Remember that supervisors are human so they sometimes mix their personal preferences in with more valid observations.)

• Focus on the future. Annual performance appraisals review the past year, but you also need to consider the coming years. Ensure you come out of your session with measurable and specific goals that you can focus on for improvement. Develop a timeline that will enable you to monitor your progress. You'll achieve more and be all set to ace your next performance appraisal too.

Performance reviews are often tense, and the current economic downturn increases the pressure on many companies. With the right preparation, you can improve the process for yourself!

Dress For Success To Get the Job

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The resume will get you the interview ... but how the interview goes will determine if you get the job. One important component of interview success is how you dress. The way you present yourself to a prospective employer when you meet them can have a significant impact on whether you get a job offer.

Yes, a firm handshake is necessary, but it's only a start. You must also dress the part of the professional you are.

Follow these steps to dress for the interview:

• Modesty is the key. While it may be okay to wear a low cut V-neck to a night out on the town, it's far from appropriate attire for the office. Practice modesty. You'll impress your potential employer and ensure that they feel comfortable interviewing you.
• Refrain from wearing anything that is too low cut or too tight. Your shirt should show very little to no cleavage, and your skirt should hit your knee. It's okay to wear a skirt without stockings, but it's wise to cover up.
• When in doubt, overdress. If your future coworkers wear casual attire, that's their choice. However, it's likely holding them back from advancing further or receiving promotions. Stand out in a good way by overdressing for the job. If possible, take note of what management wears and try to style your clothing according to their formality. 
• If you look assertive and professional, you'll be treated as such. If your attire is on par with that of the higher-ups in the company, they're more likely to think highly of you. In turn, you'll be in a favorable position for a promotion. (Of course, a professional is only part of the equation. Ensure that both the quality of your work and your appearance are excellent in order to fast track your career.)
• Wear the right shoes. Women are generally encouraged to wear heels to work. However, appropriate heels for work are different than ones you'd wear to a night on the town. (Heels that are 2.5" to 3.5" are considered appropriate. If you're in a creative environment, you can likely go as high as 4". But, avoid shoes that go over the 5" mark in all office environments. Solid colors are standard. Avoid patterned, glittery shoes with all of the bells and whistles. As with any other attire, conservative is best.
• Proper grooming. When entering a professional workplace, you must look like a professional. Therefore, your hair should be styled appropriately, your fingernails should be clean and well groomed, and body odor should be under control. Men: Get a haircut regularly and comb your hair every morning before work. Shave your face and ensure that your fingernails are clean. Ladies: Consider blowing your hair straight and curling it with an iron or donning a chic up-do, like a chignon. And of course, where makeup is concerned, less is more. 

If you want to be taken seriously in the interview, your attire must complement your resume and career communication materials. When in doubt, overdress and dress conservatively.

Want Your Dream Job? Know What You Want!

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If you want your ideal job, clarify what is the position you’d most like to have. Answer these questions:

• What are possible job titles for the type of position I want? (The same position might have different names at different companies; the more job titles you can identify for the type of work you want to do, the easier it will be for you to research your dream opportunity.) 
• What is a typical day like in your ideal position? Would it involve meetings? Would you be working independently on projects, as part of a team, or both? Would they be short-term projects, or long-term projects? 
• What type of reporting structure would you prefer? Who would you report to? Who would report to you? 
• How much would you be making in this position? Compensation can be an important consideration. Don’t just identify a target salary — remember that benefits and other non-cash compensation are part of the total package.

Discover the Career of Your Dreams

Do you work in a job that doesn't satisfy you? It's easy to feel stuck because your job is providing you with security. It's a scary thing to leave that security for the pursuit of your passion!

At the same time, there are steps you can take today to build the career you truly desire. Your passion for your new career can catapult you to success and unlock your dreams.

Confucius said, "Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life." Heed his advice and you'll be glad you left your old job behind!

Here are some strategies that can help you transition to your dream career:

• Get focused. It's important to have a plan in place. Write down the specific job you'd like to have and the steps you need to take in order to get there.

• Assign a timeline. Be sure to give yourself a realistic timeline. As much as you'd like to start your dream job right away, you don't want to risk stressing yourself out about it.

• Consider the financial cost. If your dream career involves owning your own business, it's important to figure out how much this is going to cost you. Research your options, such as how you can save up the money or obtain a small business loan. 

• Seek advice. Look to people who already have your dream career and discuss your options with them. If this isn't feasible, find websites or message boards online that pertain to the field. 

Time Management
Your current job probably already takes up a great deal of your time, so it's important to manage your time well if you're going to launch a new career. Set aside an hour or two each day to work toward your dream career.

Case Studies
Here are some examples of how others have been able to transition to their dream career. It's refreshing to see how, with some smart action, you too can reach your career goals.

Harry's story:
Harry is a businessman worked a 9-5 job, Monday through Friday. At night and sometimes on weekends, he learned about online business and outsourcing. He saved up money and soon launched his very own online business, having learned the ropes while he was saving up the money. Eventually his online income reached a level where he could leave his 9-5 job and work full time for his new business.

Betty's story:
Betty is a stay-at-home mom, and cares for her children all day. She decided she wanted to make and sell crafts. So she started making the craft items she enjoyed when the children were quiet or asleep. Then she learned how to use websites like eBay and Etsy to market and sell her crafts. Now she enjoys relaxing while she makes her crafts and earns a solid income stream by selling them online.

The common element in these two examples is the fact that these people were willing to work and do whatever it takes to find their vision of success. It's easy to say that most people who start their own business fail, however, just like everything in life, if you keep getting up and trying, you'll eventually reach your goals!

Plan your transition, work your plan, and soon you'll discover that you've acquired the career of your dreams!