Guerrilla Job Hunting

The Pipeline » “Thank You For Following Up”

I was talking to a lead this morning, he was someone I initially called based on a referral last year, after meeting it was clear that he was a good lead, likely to be a client at one point in the future, gut instinct early 2011, but you can’t forecast gut, nor does it pay the mortgage. So putting into practice what I preach in an upcoming book “SHIFT – Harness The Trigger Events That Turn Prospects Into Customers“, I initiated my contact strategy to help me build credibility and move me towards becoming his “emotional favourite”.   Part of the process is becoming predictable and reliable, (predictable not in the boring sense, but the “I can count on Shanto” sense.), so when he thinks of sales improvement initiative he thinks of me. This involves a pre-planned campaign of communication involving e-mail, calls and other things like invitations to webinars. As a matter of fact, I will be discussing aspects of this in a webinar next week called “Leveraging Trigger Event Selling™” presented by SalesNexus next Thursday March 4, 2:00 pm eastern.   Now executing an effective and impactful campaign is relatively easy in these days of Sales 2.0, but it has never been about the tool, but more about the thought process. Which is why I was amused when my lead ended the call, a good exchange with real take aways, by saying in a very sincere way “thank you for following up”, as though this was a new experience for him, sadly it probably was.  He is not the first, I have a lot of people comment on the follow through (or lack thereof) they receive, and the impact that has on me getting their business.   Let’s look at two realities in sales; the first is that sales people are always looking ways to differentiate themselves. Second, a consistent knock against sales people is their lack of follow through in general and some specific commitments. So here is a way to tackle both, mark it in your calendar (or create a task), and when it pops up on your screen make the call. Don’t do it after the coffee, or when you get back in the afternoon, or tomorrow when you’re “gonna make your calls anyways”; do it right then when it comes up. Execute your plan, and live up to what you committed to.   You don’t need a CRM, Outlook or your BlackBerry works just as well. If you are really stuck, an old fashioned desk calendar and a crayon do just as well.   Remember, they get a lot of calls, they get a lot of folks who tell them they’ll call back, some will even specify the time. But what stays with them, what impresses them is the one that actually does what he commits to when he commits to.

via www.sellbetter.ca

Reviews: A Must Read for Anyone who wants advancement in their career

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: A Must Read for Anyone who wants advancement in their career, Feb 24 2010 This book is great for job hunters and people who want to advance in their career alike. In today's job market where everything is moving with the speed of light, career oriented people should be ready for changes because they will come sooner or later. If you move with the flow, you go forward. If you sit and wait... well! This book shows you creative ways to differentiate yourself from thousands of others in the market. Whether you are looking for a job because you have to, or you want to progress in your career, this book will greatly help you. It will make it very clear to you what is the situation of the job market, how to determine your goals, what needs to be done to achieve your goals, and exactly how to do it; complete with assignments and clear examples from real people and step-by-step guide for a complete career overhaul. What's more, it is practical, easy to read, rewarding, and real. The authors augment all of this with their online posts, videos, and various bonus materials. There is a sea of information in this book. Every tactic presented is logical and a natural way to achieve the goals. You need to do what it says to get results though. Before I bought this book, I had a taste of it online. There are videos, presentations, web sites, and blogs available. Then I decided I have to have the book to know all the details and refer to it whenever I want. This is one of the most useful books I have read with a good 'bang for the buck'. Certainly a must read for everyone who is working or wants/needs to work in today's world.

via www.amazon.ca

John Tesh reads from Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0

The John Tesh Radio Show

Speed Up Your Job Search

Finding a new job isn’t easy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average job search now takes seven months. That’s a long time to be living on ramen noodles and hope. So, here are some strategies that’ll help you cut your search time in HALF. We got these from the Bottom Line Personal.  

• Target your Top 20. David E. Perry is the co-author of Guerilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.O. He says to create your own private job market by making a list of the 20 companies you’d like to work for. Or Google phrases such as, “Best companies for minorities” or “Most admired employers in Texas” to help refine your search. Then, get each company’s mailing address and phone number – they’re often on the website – and the name, title and contact information of the person who can offer you a job. Send that person your resume and a cover letter, which should be tailored to the company specifically.
• Make sure your package is received, and then follow up. Perry says send your resume through UPS, FedEx or two-day mail, and ask to be notified by email when it’s been signed for. Once you get that email, wait about half-an-hour. Then, pick up the phone and call the person. Whether you get them personally, or a voicemail recording, say, “Hi, this is so-and-so. I see you just received my package. I’d like to meet with you for coffee to talk about how I can help your company achieve X, Y, and Z.”
• Create an online presence. LinkedIn is an important site for job hunters. So, create a profile if you don’t have one, and use it to post your resume, articles you’ve written, key PowerPoint presentations you’ve created and so on. Also, Perry says that being on ZoomInfo.com  is critical. Both professional and in-house company recruiters go there to check out profiles of people who have the experience they're looking for. Remember to add a photo to your profile. This personal touch tells recruiters that you want to be found, and puts you at the top of their lists.

Does “The Best” Resume Guarantee You an Interview ? ( Part 3)

Hi again everyone, and thanks for joining me for Part 3 of this 3 Part article. Now, here are the final 6 “basic” rules for a “Best Resume.”

7. Direct your resume to someone who cares. That would be the individual who has a problem and you are just the person who can fix it. If you don’t know who that individual is, be a Guerrilla and start thinking outside of the box. Devote all due time and patience to this task and tactfully track that person down.

8. It is imperative that your resume is a true marketing piece. Any company that markets anything under the sun and has been successful at it, uses creative marketing pieces (printed literature, website, etc) to get their message across in an eye catching yet problem solving fashion. As a job seeker, YOU ARE selling something, and that is YOU !

9. Because your resume must be a promotional tool, it is of the essence that you address the needs of the employer. Never, ever address YOUR needs in a resume. People who address their own goals and desires typically start out the top of the resume by saying something akin to, “I’m looking for an opportunity where I can………” (Be pragmatic here, the prospective employer at this moment could care less about you want. If you have that type of “I” statement or something similar on top of your resume, scrap it today.)

10. In the body of your resume, and using (preferably) one (1) BUT no more than two (2) sentences per achievement; showcase your most significant observable and measured “Select Accomplishments.”

11. Make every effort to monetize your select accomplishments; even if it means reaching out to others to gather this information. It is critical to have credible source (s) when making claim to your select accomplishments. Guesstimating is an awful stratagem. Also seriously consider using percentages and comparisons to quantify and qualify those “Select Accomplishments.”

12. Your first résumé to an employer should be a one pager, except when it is not. A Guerrilla Job Seeker knows that the lesson to be learned here is that you want the decision maker to invite you to offer them more information. An ingenious one-pager is an utter game changer and will yield results in short order !

Some people may well differ with me on my 12 “basics” for a “Best Resume.” I have no problem with it. The proof is in the pudding. Our Guerrilla Job Seekers in fact do achieve a 30% to 75% or better success rate !

Still don’t believe me ?

Here is the pudding with a generous helping of proof:

Take Steve for example, a brand new graduate of the Guerrilla Boot Camp. He lost his job 14 months ago. Steve came to us because he simply could not get any traction in terms of interviews which mean no job offers. By using the 12 steps that I have outlined for you, in addition to closely following our Guerrilla Tips, Tricks and Tactics, he experienced an astonishing 80% success rate of resume submittals to actual interviews. This was done in just under 5 weeks !

Steve is now comfortably sitting in the catbird seat. He accepted one of the multiple offers (that came his way) yesterday morning and will be earning a highly desireable 6 figure income and with the ability to work from a home office much of the time.  Kevin Donlin and I interviewed Steve immediately after accepting his offer.  Go here to watch one small part of our talk with this brand new Senior Vice President.  

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8echsys2BU  

 

Have a Great Guerrilla Day !

In closing, if you or someone you know are looking for a new job, get one faster and would to like to learn more about authentic "Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters" training; don't be bashful, visit me at http://www.psychoape.com

While you are there don't forget to grab a copy of our FREE audio CD for Job Hunters a $ 50 value !

Mark J. Haluska

 

reportonbusiness.com: globeinvestor.com - The search for summer work is on, and it comes amid predictions that student jobless numbers could match last year's. So why is this job hunter so confident?

It's a pretty cocky attitude in the midst of an economy that has seen belt-tightening and layoffs. And it comes amid predictions of another summer that may match last year's, when the student jobless rate hit a dismal 19.2 per cent, the second-highest figure since comparable data began being compiled in 1977, according to Statistics Canada.

via www.globeinvestor.com

Network With Past Clients And Vendors

Carl H., a reader of my columns from Winnipeg, Manitoba shares his success story here.

 

“I just accepted a new position which I obtained with the assistance of the resumes, cover letters and advice gained from your ebook. I am happy to say that at the age of 46, I was only actually out of work for 11 days. (Carl is talking about my resume how-to guide, available at this Web page: http://www.gresumes.com/book.htm )

 

How did he do it? Actually, he lucked out!

 

“The position I landed was advertised in the Career Section of the local newspaper. It turned out to be a supplier to my previous employer, one that I had had some dealings with in the past. There was good synergy between their needs and my experience and background. I was able to convince them through letters and the resume that I developed following that they would realize an immediate impact on their bottom line if they were to hire me for the position,” says Carl.

 

 

Action Step: If you search for a job in the want ads of your local paper, you are competing with hundreds -- sometimes thousands -- of other applicants. Luckily, Carl’s resume was good enough to get him an interview this way.

 

But Carl would have had no competition at all if he had first networked with that supplier (and every other vendor!) from his past employer before ever turning to the newspaper.

 

The choice is simple.

 

You can compete with the herd of other job seekers for a very limited number of positions advertised in the newspaper. Or you can leverage the good relations you’ve built over the years and network with past vendors and clients for job leads … with no competition, since they already know you and trust you.

Compliments of David Perry and Kevin Donlin

Grab your Free Guerrilla Job Search Audio here.

Hand Deliver Your Resume

Here’s another dose of the obvious: computers don’t hire people. People do.

 

“Chances are, unless you get face to face with the hiring manager, you will not get the job. After creating a top-notch resume and cover letter, your next major goal should be to meet hiring managers at companies you want to work for,” says Minneapolis, Minn. recruiter Larry Harris.

 

If you’re searching for a job locally, a powerful way to increase your odds of meeting a hiring manager is to pick up the phone and call.

 

Here’s what Harris suggests.

 

“Never just send your resume and leave it at that. Call and ask for the hiring manager. If he/she answers, explain why you are calling. Tell them why you are perfect for the job and ask for meeting. Typically they will ask you to just send your resume.”

 

But don’t let that stop you.

 

According to Harris, an excellent response is this: “I could send you my resume, but I’m going to be about five minutes from your office tomorrow around noon. If you don’t mind, I’d like to stop by and drop it off. When I do, I’ll ask for you. If you’re available, I can introduce myself and personally give you my resume. If you’re not available, I’ll just leave it with the receptionist. Would that be OK?”

 

This is a non-threatening proposition that many hiring managers will agree to. At worst, it gives you an excuse to call the company and build rapport by phone with your prospective employer.

 

 

Action Step: You can get more face-to-face meetings with hiring managers by offering to hand deliver your resume. The worst thing they can say is no.

 

But if they agree to meet you briefly when you drop off the resume, you’ll in effect be getting a mini job interview at the same time, since you’ll have a chance to discuss the position and the company’s needs when you meet. That will give you a huge advantage over other candidates who simply mail or email their resumes. Which can dramatically reduce your time out of work!

Compliments of David Perry and Kevin Donlin

Grab your Free Guerrilla Job Search Audio here.

Does “The Best” Resume Guarantee You an Interview ? (Part 2 of 3 Parts)

If you read Part 1 of this posting, you might be thinking, Mark you implied in Part 1 that more or less a high number of companies would want to interview me if I do a “Best Resume.”

Is that right ?

I would have to say, “Yes, that would be correct.”

As I stated in Part 1 of this article, your cover letter and resume “should “realistically net a 30% to 75% success rate in terms of being contacted by your targeted employers. Those percentages are based on the ranges that our Guerrilla Job Seeker clients have enjoyed to date, even in this recession !

As a practicing Executive Search Professional (aka Head Hunter), a Certified Guerrilla Job Search Coach and a contributing co-author of two best selling books on the subject both (published by Wiley) within the last 5 years, what I will say is that your cover letter and resume must pass the 15 – 20 second smell test or you’re toast.

Your cover letter must be concise and articulate your value to the point of making that potential employer slam on the on the breaks, come to a complete stop and really pay attention.

Likewise, your resume has to deliver a quick and hard one-two knockout punch. Your message has to hit them right between the eyes; because the clock will still be ticking on that 20 – 30 second smell test.

So, how would I define “the BASICS” of a “Best Resume” ?

Here are just 12 basic ideas to get you started.

As I stated in Part 1 of this article, your newly updated resume ought to be your 5th (fifth) priority when it comes to finding a new job. Now, aside from the usual punctuation, spelling and layout errors resumes are prone to have, here are some “BASIC and simple” Guerrilla rules: (Well they are not entirely trouble-free because it requires people to in fact think followed up by the execution of a well thought out game plan. )

1. Your cover letter must be aimed at the one person in the company who genuinely cares about filling the position. I say that because it just stands to reason that the job would not be open if the company did not have a dilemma on their hands in need of resolution.

2. The first thing the recipient at your target employer is going to read, if done properly, is your cover letter. If done as I suggested earlier in this article, this will at least get you on first base. Don’t believe all that blather that recruiters and employers “never” read cover letters. Many people WILL but only if the cover letter is personalized, intriguing, to the point, and begs for more.

3. Sign your cleverly created cover letter in light blue ink.

4. Add a post script at the end of the cover letter using a presumptive sales technique to close it out.

5. Your resume doesn’t necessarily have to be on top grade paper in most cases. Paper in the medium price range will do just fine as will the color of white.

6. Don’t use an ASCII (Plain Text) resume format unless you are expressly instructed to do so. ASCII resumes are first read by computers. To the human eye however appear and most often read like a Microsoft instruction manual. 

Due to time constrains I have to run for now. Let’s hook up in a day or two at the same place. I’ll outline the next 6 (six) additional points to consider relative to what constitutes a “Best Resume”  and also share with you an absolutley astonishing resume success story by a client of ours who did the exact things I am talking about and with astounding results.  

I hope you join me for Part 3 of this articleand in the meantime, have a Great Guerrilla Day !

In closing, if you or someone you know are looking for a new job, get one faster and would to like to learn more about authentic "Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters" training; don't be bashful, visit me at http://www.psychoape.com

Mark J. Haluska

Outside the box - NYPOST.com

To the jaded hacks at @work, it often seems there are as many job-search experts as actual people looking for jobs. While some of their counsel is terrific, it’s rare to find an expert whose advice is novel and tangible. So much career counseling tends to be one or the other — or neither.

via www.nypost.com

To the jaded hacks at @work, it often seems there are as many job-search experts as actual people looking for jobs. While some of their counsel is terrific, it’s rare to find an expert whose advice is novel and tangible. So much career counseling tends to be one or the other — or neither.

But “Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0” manages both.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/jobs/outside_the_box_Z1dQwDhdft8fxLUJWkKjQL#ixzz0fnzutyrW

Is Your Interview Attire Helping or Hurting You? - Business Exchange

via bx.businessweek.com

Due to limited time, right or wrong, much of their decision will be based on your first impression—the first 5-10 seconds of interaction. Since few words are exchanged in that time, the way you look must speak volumes. Your ultimate goal is to visually present every quality and experience stated on your resume, tweaked to fit the company’s culture.

US jobless make TV ads for work - Business Exchange

via bx.businessweek.com

After sending resumes, attending networking events and blogging about her search for employment, Dinsmore joined a small but growing number of unemployed people who have made television commercials about themselves to try to get directly into prospective employers' living rooms.

Resume Ideas - Add A Skills Inventory To Get Noticed For More Jobs - Business Exchange

via bx.businessweek.com

Most candidates today make a big mistake and brand themselves with what they could do by placing it at the very top of the resume, often in a summary section.
Even though this is common advice, in practice it rarely works well today.

How Job Seekers Can Destroy Networking Goodwill By Cyber-Glomming - Business Exchange

via bx.businessweek.com

You’ve experienced the glommer at parties and hopefully you’re not a glommer yourself. The glommer is someone who over-capitalizes your time, who overstays their welcome with you, who just won’t let you talk to others no matter how politely you try to leave.

Why “Networking Doesn’t Work” - Business Exchange

via bx.businessweek.com

Jason Alba of JibberJobber.com quoted stats generated by JobBait (a resume mass mailing company) claiming (tongue-in-cheek) that “Networking Doesn’t Work”. But Mark Hovind’s (JobBait’s president) numbers also claimed that mass mailing 3,500 pieces of junk mail works 85% of the time for executive and managerial jobs. Maybe these stats were from the good-old 1970’s.

Job Seekers - 20 Ways To Brand Yourself On Facebook - Business Exchange

via bx.businessweek.com

Great article on maximizing your facebook profile

Offer To Temp For Your Last Employer

 

One client of mine, Michele M., shares this story.

 

“I've just accepted a position back at my old company (the same one that laid me off!) It's for a great job (Pharmaceutical Business Associate) at even higher pay than when I left.

 

“I got it by offering to temp for someone in customer service while she was on maternity leave. After a few weeks, people starting thinking "Why did we let her go?" and they created this position for me. Yahoo!” says Michelle.

 

How did she get back in touch with her old employer? You can do the same thing …

 

“I had a lot of friends there, and lunched with them regularly. One of them told me that a woman in the customer service department was soon to go on maternity leave. I called the manager of that department (also a friend) and told her I was available to fill in as a temp. She thought this was a great idea -- she'd already asked for a temp, but was told that the training time would be too long and wouldn't be worth the money.

 

“Since I already knew all about the product, it would take almost no time to train me on the phones. I was hired and worked full-time as a temp for 10 weeks. One thing led to another and they created a permanent position for me.

 

“I believe being at the company every day, working hard and being positive (I tried NOT to complain about my long unemployment) was the reason I was hired. I was right in front of them, which made them remember what I'd done for them in the past,” says Michelle.

 

Action Step: Never burn your bridges with past employers, even if they lay you off! Keep in touch and be willing to swallow your pride and work temporarily at a lower salary, if need be. The results could be a new, permanent job at a higher salary.

Compliments of David Perry and Kevin Donlin

Grab your Free Guerrilla Job Search Audio here.

Outside the box - NYPOST.com

To the jaded hacks at @work, it often seems there are as many job-search experts as actual people looking for jobs. While some of their counsel is terrific, it’s rare to find an expert whose advice is novel and tangible. So much career counseling tends to be one or the other — or neither.

via www.nypost.com

Mississauga Article: Experts share 'guerrilla' job search secrets

Guerilla hunters. David Perry (left) and Kevin Donlin (right) led a seminar on job hunting called "How To Find Jobs in Tough Times: Guerilla Job Search Secret". Over 200 people attended the session that was hosted by HAPPEN a job networking group at the Living Arts Centre Tuesday. Staff photo by Fred Loek

via www.mississauga.com

Adding the PS to a letter is still a popular novel tactic

Start Work AFTER The Interview

This lesson in perseverance is a variation on the last story, about the candidate who brought a list of sales leads to his job interview.

 

“Robin, a woman from Los Angeles, had been interviewing with the same company for three months. She felt she was a perfect for the position, but the hiring manager was not responsive -- he wouldn’t tell her yes or no about a decision to hire her,” says Ron McManmon.

 

So Robin called McManmon to discuss her dilemma. His advice?

 

“I suggested that she REALLY demonstrate her skills to the hiring manager. I encouraged her to call 100 potential customers and ask them, ‘Would you be interested in looking at a technology that would solve your problem with X and save you XX amount of dollars?’” says McManmon.

 

The next day, Robin walked into the manager’s office, put her contact list on his desk and said, “I’ve already started working for you. In fact, I have 100 customers who are interested in your technology.”

 

What happened next?

 

“Robin was hired on the spot,” says McManmon.

 

 

Action Step: After you’ve been interviewed for a job you really want, don’t sit back and wait for the phone to ring. That’s what the other candidates are doing.

 

Instead, research your target company and “start working” for them before you’re hired. This can help PROVE you’re the one to hire.

Compliments of David Perry and Kevin Donlin

Grab your Free Guerrilla Job Search Audio here.

Does “The Best” Resume Guarantee You an Interview … a MUST read (Part 1 of 2 Parts)

To quote Bill Clinton, “it depends what you mean by "The Best.”

Ok- that is not EXACTLY what Bill said, but you get the idea. :)

If you gave your resume to 10 different resume writers, (or wannabe writers) I’d venture to guess you’d likely get 8 to 10 diverse opinions as to “what” your resume really needs to be considered “The Best” and land you an interview invitation.

Did I mention that if you lost your job today, that scrambling to write / update your résumé should NOT be the FIRST thing that you do to find a new job?

Other than breaking the bad news to the family and filing for unemployment compensation of course, Guerrilla Job Seekers know that putting your “best” resume together should be the 5th (fifth) thing you would do as a matter of setting priorities in obtaining a new position. .

You read it right; the FIFTH chore you should carry out!

One thing that “most” resume writers will not disagree with is that your résumé is a very important part of your personal branding. Your resume AND cover letter should sell both the steak AND the sizzle at the same time!

Yes, despite what you may have read elsewhere, cover letters will be read IF you give the recipient a reason to do so !

More often than you would imagine, the most qualified person does not always get the position. I know this to be fact because I was a senior decision maker for years and (I) knowingly did not always make an offer to the “best qualified” applicant for a variety of reasons. Moreover, our Guerrilla Job Seeker Boot Campers have reported back to us scores of times where they were told after being hired that they were not “the most” qualified.

According to these new employers, it was their unique approach that put them over the top.

Why?

Because the best qualified individual was never viewed in quite the same light as the person who branded and marketed themselves as the ultimate commodity. In this highly competitive job market, these people discovered how to get, and then keep the attention of the prospective employer.

In fact, the best qualified candidate may never have been interviewed because of a poorly prepared resume, cover letter and then failure to follow-up. Then again, their resume may have just fallen into the HR Black Hole as a result of a poorly trained HR screener.

What is an ill-prepared resume?

Aside from the usual punctuation, spelling and layout errors resumes may have, an inadequate résumé is one that fails to compel of AT LEAST 3 of 10 carefully targeted hiring authorities to want to immediately talk with you. In fact, if you were to contact 20 targeted employers and batted a .750 (or a 75% call back rate) I would not at all be that surprised. It would not be the first time!!!!!!!

So, what I am saying is that “The Best” resumes can only be measured by the results you achieve in terms of invites for an interview.

Wow, in light of the competitive job market we’re facing today, that’s a bold statement isn’t it Mark ?

Due to time limitations today, I have to close for now. Catch me in the next business day or two and I’ll continue this thread, going over “the basics” of a “Best Resume.”

In closing, if you ever thought about being a Guerrilla Job Seeker, don’t to be bashful. Visit us at www.psychoape.com

There’s a FREE audio CD valued at $ 50 in it for you!                                        

Have a Great Guerrilla Day!
Mark J. Haluska   

                                               

Posted 1 day ago | Delete discussion

Start Work BEFORE The Interview

“Six candidates were interviewing for a sales position in Atlanta with an exclusive company that had just received about $83 million in funding,” says Ron McManmon, a former recruiter and Executive VP of Careeradex.com.

 

“Five candidates were “top gun” sales people who all came from industry leaders … and then there was Tony. He was young, with about five years of experience. But Tony was highly motivated and willing to go the extra mile.”

 

“In his job interview, Tony not only mapped his accomplishments out on a PowerPoint presentation, he also demonstrated that he had already started working for the company. He did this by researching, assembling, and bringing with him a list of sales leads and contacts. His presentation consisted of past, present AND future. The other candidates did nothing like this.”

 

Did it work?

 

“Tony was hired over five more-experienced candidates,” says McManmon.

 

 

Action Step: Just like the example you’ll read about next, research your target company and “start working” for them before you’re hired. This can help PROVE you’re the one to hire.

Compliments of David Perry and Kevin Donlin

Grab your Free Guerrilla Job Search Audio here.

Correct Your Course Every Week

Think of your job search as a journey, one of the most important you’ll ever make, along the lines of a thrilling ocean voyage.

 

Have you ever heard of a ship’s captain who didn’t consult his maps before and during his journey? Of course not. Captains like that don’t last long -- it’s too easy to get off course just a little bit each day, until the ship is hopelessly lost at sea.

 

So don’t expect a successful outcome to your job search if you don’t consult your “map” at least once a week, and make course corrections.

 

To do this and stay on course, you should hold a 30-minute meeting with yourself weekly. Do the following:

• Repeat out loud and reaffirm your Job Search Objective: What’s the exact title of the job you seek? The salary? What 3 skills do you want to use? What’s your target company or working environment? Regular repetition will burn your goal into your brain.
• What’s working? Do more!
• What’s not working? Make change or drop it.

 

I’m reminded of a picture I saw, of a forlorn and pathetic-looking man on the front page of The Wall Street Journal. He had had been standing on a street corner for nearly three months holding a sign that said: "I NEED A JOB ... 36 YRS EXPER; INSUR/MNGMNT.”

 

Apparently, this man had never thought long and hard enough about his job search to STOP doing something that clearly was NOT working. He remained out in the wind and weather begging for work, hoping something would fall into his lap. For all I know, he’s still there ….

 

Don’t do that.

 

 

Action Step: Have a 30-minute meeting with yourself every week and analyze your job search activities. What’s working? Do more of that. What’s not working? Change your approach, or drop it altogether. Then plan your efforts for the next 7, 30, 60 and 90 days.

Compliments of David Perry and Kevin Donlin

Grab your Free Guerrilla Job Search Audio here.

Call People In Your Field -- And Ask For A Job

David Segall, credit professional from Warwick, NY, uncovered a lead one New Year’s Eve that turned into a new job.

 

After being laid off by his firm, he got out a listing of decision makers in his industry, picked up the phone and started dialing.

 

“I knew a great way to network would be to simply call other credit professionals. I did that by using the member roster list of an industry group I belonged to,” says Segall.

 

“The script I followed on the phone went like this: ‘Hi, my name is Dave Segall and I got your name from XX. I was working at Y Company until recently as an Assistant Credit Manager. I’m calling to see if you had any opportunities at your firm.’”

 

Segall say: “If I got voicemail instead of a live person, I would add: ‘I’d like to speak with you; my cell phone number is 212-XXX-XXXX.’ That way, I could get callbacks while calling out on my regular phone.”

 

Be sure to call managers who can either hire you directly or influence a hiring decision. Segall targeted titles just above his level when calling, such as Credit Director or Credit Manager.

 

What where Segall’s results?

 

“I got a job offer right over the phone! In total, I talked to about 50 people live after making nearly 100 calls in one day.”

 

 

Action Step: You can produce a week’s worth of results in your job search in only a few hours spent calling decision makers and asking for interviews. There are directories of names and phone numbers for almost every industry imaginable. Sure there will be rejection. You may even get the phone slammed in your ear. But that just means you’ll have less competition.

 

And what if you can’t find an association for your industry, even after checking with your local reference librarian?

 

Try looking through www.superpages.com by industry and/or location as a way to contact and network with decision makers. You’ll also find names and phone numbers of valuable network contacts at www.hoovers.com, for a fee. (Be sure to ask your local library if they subscribe to Hoovers. Some do, and you can use the information at no cost.)

Compliments of David Perry and Kevin Donlin

Grab your Free Guerrilla Job Search Audio here.

Act Fast

 You may think it’s nearly impossible to stand out at one of those “cattle call” job fairs typically held at hotels. But you can make a great first impression -- and get hired -- if you take the initiative.

 

That’s what Patrick C. from Texas did.

 

“I interviewed with an insurance firm and I thought they liked me. As I was leaving the interview, I thought, ‘I want this job. I’m going to try something different,’” says Patrick.

 

“So I went to the front desk and asked to use their word processor. The hotel secretary let me type up a thank-you letter that re-emphasized all the reasons I thought I was a perfect fit for the job. Then, I paid a bellhop $5.00 to take it up to Mark Jones in suite #101 – he was the guy I interviewed with.”

 

The result?

 

“I got the job. When the hiring manager called me the next day, he remembered me from the ‘instant thank-you letter’ I had sent.”

 

Action Step: Every employer wants go-getters on the payroll. If you follow up FAST and creatively after every interview, you’ll prove that you have what it takes, no matter what the job.

Compliments of David Perry and Kevin Donlin

Grab your Free Guerrilla Job Search Audio here.