SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2010
AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE WASHINGTON POST
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CAREER EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS Go to
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December 7
The Washington Post Engineering, Technology
and Security Clearance Career Fair Washington, D.C.
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November 29-30 Federal Hispanic Career Advancement Summit Bethesda, Md.
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December 10 Tech/Eng/Sec Clearance Job Fair Chantilly, Va.
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To submit event information or feedback about the section, email
sundayjobs@washpost.com DATA AND FUN FACTS
Did You Know …
Employers are hiring for thousands of jobs across these occupations?
Management/Supervisor/Executive: 3,006 jobs Healthcare: 1,278 jobs IT: 1,873 jobs Analyst: 2,561 jobs
Engineer: 2,714 jobs Source: Internal Supply & Demand Report
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This special advertising section was written by Laura K. Nickle, Suzanne Gunther and Janet Dopsovic of Communi-k, Inc., in conjunction with The Washington Post Special Sections Department. The production of this supplement did not involve The Washington Post news or editorial staff.
n today’s job market, hundreds of people often apply for a single position. It is overwhelming for job seekers—and for employers. How can you distinguish yourself from the masses? “Network into companies in advance of the job,” Laura Labovich, owner of Aspire! Empower! Career Strategy Group in Bethesda, Md., advised.
I
Q&A with Laura K.
Labovich recommended the personal, growth-oriented method of networking espoused by the Five O’Clock Club, the national career coaching and outplacement organization through which she became a guild-certified career coach. “Identify target companies in your geographic area that wow you,” she suggested. “Shift the focus to which companies best fit your talents, skills and geographic preference. Then, aim to get meetings rather than interviews.” The goal is to present yourself as an expert in a specific job function and industry. To do that, Labovich suggested refining your job search to a specific industry, researching employers in your geographic area and networking into those companies. Labovich used the example of someone looking for a job as a marketing manager. She suggested further defining the job search to a specific industry, such as the consumer goods industry, then identifying about 40 consumer goods companies in the area. Once you have created that list of employers, the networking begins. Show your list to friends, family, colleagues, former colleagues, professional contacts and anyone else who might be helpful. Explain that these are the companies you have identified that would be a great fit for you. Ask them to look over the list and see if they know anybody at those companies. If they know someone, ask for an introduction. “You want to become an insider,” Labovich said. Typically, the people you know will offer to show your
resume to their contact. According to Labovich, it is better to get an introduction than to offer up your resume. “When you hand a resume to someone, you’re losing your power because the person who receives it probably won’t do anything with it,” she warned. “Pull in the reins and take power. It’s the goal of the job seeker to try to run the show.” If someone strongly prefers to provide your resume rather than providing an introduction, ask for the email address and phone number of their contact so that you can follow up yourself.
Okay, so now you have gotten an introduction to someone on your target job list. What do you do with it? Contact the person and ask for a chance to chat with them for 10 minutes to gain an understanding of what they do. This is not a job interview. It is an opportunity to learn and create a meaningful connection.
At an informational interview, nobody is comparing you to a job description or to other candidates. The pressure is off. You can ask about the trends in their industry, current challenges, the job culture, what they do on a day-by-day basis and other things that interest you about that company and that interview. Try to make the relationship reciprocal. At the end of the interview, ask if there is anything you can do for your interviewer. Offer introductions to your contacts, professional or otherwise. Then, ask if they can suggest anyone else you would benefit from meeting. Make sure to follow up with a quick thank you after each informational interview. If you have offered to provide any information or introductions, follow through promptly.
Become knowledgeable about your companies. Set up Google Alerts for each of them to be notified when they are in the news and see who is being quoted in articles. Set up a tickler file for the people who are being quoted and try to connect with them through LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Make sure to be honest and professional on social networking sites. Become active in your professional and industry associations.
Successful networking takes time and a sincere desire
to learn and develop relations. It is an opportunity to define where you want to be and learn how to position yourself to get there. By the time a good job becomes available in a company you targeted, you will be ready for it. You are knowledgeable about the company and the industry—and you are an insider.
Question:
I’m graduating and starting my first real job hunt in a couple of months. Can you suggest a Web site that is easy to use (and hopefully free!) and that can help me turn my lack of work experience into an actual resume?
Answer: There are many, but you may want to try
pongoresume.com. Officially student-tested by Chris, one of the resident teenagers in my own household, it met with great approval for its ease of use and the level of free available support. (The site has an A- reliability report from the Better Business Bureau.)
You will find much help within the site’s realm of “free trial” services you can try without cost and without having to provide any credit card information. These include resume and cover letter templates and a free resume builder. The free trial also includes additional live support via chat or phone. Chris tested out the live chat help; he reached the same live representative both times, and both times she was helpful.
While you’re at it, you could start practicing your interview skills using the QuintCareers site,
quintcareers.com/interview_question_database. This Web site also offers wide-ranging advice, including great interview practice questions and sample responses. There is even a section of “off the wall” questions you may find more entertaining than pertinent, but the majority are right from a typical interviewer’s repertoire.
Need career advice? Laura K. Nickle can be reached at
sundayjobs@washpost.com.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
The Washington Post Career Fair Engineering, Technology and Security Clearance December 7, 2010 – Save the date!
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The basic premise is that the firm helps its client find qualified employees, for which they obviously need candidates to achieve this goal. Search firms are constantly networking, mining or fishing for clients and candidates, and strive to keep their ready candidate pools stocked so that they can quickly and efficiently fulfill the needs of their clients. Their fees are typically paid by the employer after you are hired, so you really have nothing to lose by taking advantage of their intelligence. Their networks can be vast, and they spend lots of time searching for openings and candidates. Their efforts can save you a great deal of time, as well as go well beyond your reach into jobs not yet advertised. Jayne Lyons is a recruiter with
Corestaff, a national staffing agency with local offices in D.C., Fairfax, Va., and Wheaton, Md. She suggested another reason you may need a search firm: “If you currently have a full-time job that you want to leave, instead of posting your resume online where your current employer may find it, using a search firm can keep your search confidential. There’s a chance that if you’re looking to leave, your employer may also be looking to replace you at the same time.”
Using a search firm is a win-win situation for everyone, provided you as the job seeker have done your homework.
It is all about finding the right match. Your friends and colleagues are a great place to start on your quest, and online directories such as
searchfirm.com or
recruitersonline.com will help you filter your criteria. Be sure the firm specializes in your
field. There is no point in contacting a firm that specializes in IT when you are looking for a finance job. And when the headhunter is interviewing you, make sure you are interviewing the headhunter also. Ask how many placements he or she has made in the past six months. Ask questions about their knowledge of your field and the role your skills, qualifications and experience play in that field. You want to work with someone who knows the value of what you have to offer. The right search firm will review your
resume with you and help you prepare and practice for your interviews. If you can explain any gaps in your employment, your recruiter will be better able to help you with both your resume and your interview. Be sure to ask for guidance in answering questions about your resume. You want to be the best candidate for the job. Your recruiter already knows the employer and can help you navigate any sticky situations. The right recruiter will also highlight your best assets to the employer and will be proactive in helping you receive an offer.
Communication with your recruiter should be open and honest. Let him or her know if you are planning to be or are already engaged with another search firm. You don’t want to embarrass your recruiter(s) by being marketed to the same employer by more than one agency. You should contact your recruiter weekly for updates and feedback and to address any concerns you may have. It is easy to get started right from the comfort of your own home computer, so there is no good reason to delay putting the professionals and their networks to work for you.
TIPS
• Using a search firm is a good way to keep your job search confidential if you are currently employed in a full-time position.
• Online directories such as
searchfirm.com or
recruitersonline.com will help you filter your criteria.
• Be sure the firm specializes in your field. There is no point in contacting a firm that specializes in IT when you are looking for a finance job.
• Make sure you are interviewing the headhunter. Ask how many placements he or she has made in the past six months. Ask questions about their knowledge of your field and the role your skills, qualifications and experience play in that field.
Getting Connected The Search Firm Search
I
f you are looking for a job and wondering whether you should connect with a professional recruiting firm, the answer is probably yes. In today’s tight market, you need to pursue every option available – and this includes the search firm or staffing company that is right for you.
KNOW
GOOD TO
Update your resume in our resume database to showcase your experience to local employers.
Update today at
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ADVICE
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