Create a Job-Hunting Schedule and Stick to It

Tips on Finding a Job >> Create a Schedule

Treat the job-search process like a job. Arrive on time, do your work for the day, and then check out. By taking a consistent, repetitive approach like this, you will increase your chances of finding a job. Why? Because you'll be much more productive and less likely to miss a golden opportunity.

When I first moved to Austin, Texas, I spent the first two months looking for a job. We lived in an apartment at that time, with a small computer desk tucked into a corner nook of the hallway. Every day, after having my coffee, I would tell my wife I was off to work. Then I would walk three steps down the hall, sit down at the desk, and start my daily routine.

Sample Job-Hunting Schedule

You need to find a schedule and system that works for you. But you can certainly benefit from reviewing the steps I went through every day. Heck, you can probably follow these exact same steps and find a job. It has worked for me more than once, so it's worth a shot.

• Step 1 - Start your day by checking the job websites for new opportunities. Sometimes, getting your resume in early can make all of the difference (provided you are qualified for the position). Many employers have a sense of urgency about filling positions. So try to beat the masses.
• Step 2 - If you find new job postings that match your qualifications, send resumes as soon as possible. Be sure to review the employer's instructions for responding -- their preferred method of contact, the items they are requesting, etc. Be sure to tailor your resume as needed for each posting.
• Step 3 - Review the jobs section of your local newspaper. Have a highlighter or sharpie in hand. Mark any jobs that fit your skills and accomplishments. Send a resume or call in response to those jobs, paying close attention to the employer's instructions.
• Step 4 - Make any follow-up phone calls you need to make. This might include jobs you've applied for, any new voicemails you have, etc. Be sure you read (and respect) the application instructions for each posted jobs. Some employers do not want phone calls, and they will state this in the job advertisement. You should honor this request. Otherwise, it's okay to call a week or so after sending your resume.
  

Learn More: This blog post is part of an ongoing series of lessons. Visit the table of contents page to get more tips on finding a job.

Find Upcoming Job Fairs in Your Local Area

Introduction: CNN has a list of upcoming job fairs all across the United States. In this article, I'll tell you all about this and other helpful websites.

We experienced another 650,000 job losses across the United States last month, on top of the millions we have already seen over the last year or so. While these numbers are certainly disturbing, you can't succumb to the doom and gloom. I know it's hard. I know it makes you angry / frustrated / depressed to lose your job. But you have to stick out your chin, freshen up your resume, and get back out there.

Job fairs are an excellent place to get started, and there are many upcoming fairs all over the country. If you plan on attending such an event, CNN's website is a good place to start. They have an interactive map that lets you search for upcoming job fairs by state and city, most of them hosted by Monster.com or Career Builder. Below the map, you can find links to even more events.

Other Job Fair Websites

Like I said, the CNN website is a great place to start when looking for upcoming local job fairs. But there are many other websites you can use as well. The more fairs you attend, the more likely you are to find employment. Here are some other sites you might want to check out:

• www.NationalCareerFairs.com
• www.EmploymentGuide.com
• www.CareerBuilder.com
• www.FlipDog.com

I also recommend doing a Google search for upcoming job fairs in your local area. Google is the most sophisticated and frequently updated search engine online today. So if there's any news out there about upcoming events in your area, you'll find it through Google. Do a search for the phrase "job fairs" plus your city name. You should find plenty of information through that kind of search. If you live in a small city, do the same kind of search for your state (to find upcoming job fairs in bigger cities nearby).

Other Helpful Tips

You'll need an updated resume for the job fair, and you should take about 20 copies of it to the event. You might only give out a dozen or so, but it's better to be prepared. If it has been a while since you last updated your resume, and you need a little direction, check out our guide to finding a job in 2009.

Be sure to dress for the kind of job you want. When in doubt, err on the side of being dressed up instead of down. A good business suit is always appropriate for job fairs, and it shows employers that you're serious about the process. This is always a good thing.

Work on your "30-second pitch." This is critical for job fairs because you don't always know what to expect, or who might approach you out of the blue. By your pitch, I'm talking about a brief summary of your skills and experience, along with the type of work you're seeking. For example, if I walked up and asked you "What can you offer to a potential employer?" ... what would you say? What if I asked about your ideal job, or your specific accomplishments from past jobs? Could you answer it in 30 seconds, or would you stumble?

Lastly, I'd like to offer you a tip that's often left out of articles like this. Have a positive attitude when you attend job fair events. Show some enthusiasm. I've attended these events from a hiring perspective, and I've always noticed a general sense of despair in the air. Many of the people I've spoken to at job fairs seemed down and defeated. I can understand the reasons for this, but it certainly doesn't help a person get hired. Who wants to bring such negativity into their organization? I know I didn't. So regardless of what you've endured leading up to the event, put your best foot forward when you walk in the door.

Learn More: This blog post is part of an ongoing series of lessons. Visit the table of contents page to get more tips on finding a job.

Make Your Resume Accomplishment Statements as Specific as Possible

Tips on Finding a Job >> List Your Specific Accomplishments

Pop quiz. In terms of resume accomplishments, what's the difference between managing "a lot" of projects and managing 73 projects over a three-year period? Give up? The difference is specifics.

The second accomplishment is much more specific than the first, and it could make the difference between securing or losing a job opportunity. Keep this in mind when you're working your resume accomplishment statements. The more specific you can be, the stronger your resume will be.

Why? Several reasons:

• Specific accomplishments are more concrete and believable than general statements.
• Specific numbers stand out on a resume. In fact, they stand out in any kind of written document. That's why advertisers use numbers all the time (like Listerine killing 99% of germs).
• By providing specific information, you're also showing potential employers that you are a detail-oriented person. And detail-oriented is always a good thing.

This is why I always tell people to keep a work journal or "job log" near their work desk. I've always had one of these little notebooks, and I actually made it a requirement for the people I managed. Every time they would complete a big project or some other form of accomplishment, I would tell them to write it down in their work journals.

The conversation would go something like this:

• Me: "Be sure to write that accomplishment down in your work journal?"
• Employee: "Why do I need to do that?"
• Me: "Because later on, when you ask me for a raise, you'll have something to back it up with. You can also use your journal to create accomplishment statements on your future resumes."
• Employee: "But I'm not looking for a job. I like it here."
• Me: "And we like having you here, and hope to keep you for a long time. But I would be failing as a manager if I didn't help you prepare for your future -- whether it's with this company or some other company."

Eventually, the light bulb would turn on, and they would see the value of a work journal. Without one, it's difficult to create specific accomplishment statements on a new resume. But with such a journal, it's simply a matter of transferring details from the notebook onto your resume.

That's good advice for going forward. But what about here in the present? What if you don't have a work journal to help with your resume? You can still create specific accomplishment statements, you'll just have to do more homework to gather the details. You might have to contact former coworkers or employers for input, or dig through some old paperwork (including your previous performance evaluations). But the end result is worth it. Your resume will be much stronger if you include specific accomplishments.

Here are some areas where you can get specific in your resume statements:

• The number of people you supervised, managed, trained, etc.
• The amount of money you saved the company through your actions.
• The amount of revenue you generated through your actions.
• The number of clients or customers you served.
• The number and types of equipment you maintained, managed, etc.
• Any other numbers relating to accomplishments.

Keeping track of your accomplishments can certainly help you write a stronger resume, but it helps in other areas as well. For example, asking for an increase in pay is much easier when you have specific accomplishments to back it up. Instead of saying, "I deserve a raise because I'm a good worker," you can actually present a list of things you've done (and how it has helped the company).

That last parenthetical is important. When writing your accomplishment statements on your resume, always tie them back to the company. State what you did, and then explain how it helped the company. For example: "I streamlined an online ordering process used by more 2,500 customers a week. This improved customer satisfaction while also reducing the number of customer service phone calls by more than 30 percent."

Now that's a solid accomplishment statement, filled with specific information! Build a resume full of items like this, and you'll greatly increase your chances of getting the job.

Learn More: This blog post is part of an ongoing series of lessons. Visit the table of contents page to get more tips on finding a job.

Don't Create a Job Description Resume

Tips on Finding a Job >> The Job Description Resume

Back in my resume screening days, nothing frustrated me more than the dreaded "job description resume." Instead of listing a series of accomplishments, this type of resume merely contains a list of previous job descriptions from the applicant's past. If you're serious about getting a job, you need to avoid this common pitfall.

How do you know if your resume falls into this trap? Here's a simple test. Scan your resume for the words "responsible for" as in the following phrase: "I was responsible for producing TPS reports on a daily basis..."

If you have an abundance of these phrases, then you probably have a job description resume. Why do hiring managers dislike this kind of resume? Because it only says what you were responsible for in your previous jobs. It doesn't say what you actually did. In other words, a job description resume is like saying, "I showed up for work every day." You won't get very many offers from that!

Notice the difference between these two resume bullet points:

• I was responsible for producing TPS reports on a daily basis, with the appropriate cover sheets on them. [blah]
• I created an inter-departmental reporting system that streamlined the production process and eliminated mistakes across the board. [hooray]

You can clearly see the difference in the above comparison. In the first example, I didn't actually do anything. I'm simply saying what my responsibilities were. Did I meet them? Did I exceed them? Nobody knows. But in the second example, I'm explaining a specific accomplishment and how it helped the company.



No hiring manager likes to receive a list of responsibilities, because it doesn't help evaluate the job candidate. And if a hiring manager cannot evaluate you through your resume, you can forget about an interview. When they have a stack of resumes before them, managers will not call you for clarification about your resume. They'll simply toss it aside. But you can avoid this fate by listing specific accomplishments.

Learn More: This blog post is part of an ongoing series of lessons. Visit the table of contents page to get more tips on finding a job.

Reviews of Executive Job Search Websites

Job search websites are nothing new. They've been around nearly as long as the Internet itself. But over the last couple of years, a variety of websites have come online to help with the executive job search process. Some of these websites are even salary-specific, only listing jobs in the 100K and above salary range.

In this article, I'll review some of the websites that cater to executive job search candidates. If you have an executive background, these websites can save you time and energy by narrowing the search process.

6FigureJobs.com -- The name of this website gives you a pretty idea of what you're going to find. It limits the job postings to those over $100,000 in salary, which means that it mostly includes professional and executive job listings. You can search by industry, job function, location and keywords. I did a test search for marketing jobs in the entire state of Texas, and it only came up with one listing, which seems a little scant to me. It's still worth checking out, though.

TheLadders.com -- This is a fairly new job search website for executives, and they've been doing a lot of marketing to support their growth. You've probably even seen one of the commercials on TV. They claim to pre-screen every job before listing it on the site, to ensure that it falls within the 100K or above range. The website functionality and usability is superior to other executive job search sites that I reviewed. You'll have to sign up for an account if you want to use the site though -- it doesn't seem to allow casual / anonymous visitors to search it.

ExecuNet.com -- This website is simple to use. You start by entering a functional area (skill) and choosing a state in the U.S. This search engine seemed to have a lot more executive jobs than some of the other sites tested. For example, a search for executive marketing jobs in Texas turned up dozens of listings on this website, whereas the same search on 6FigureJobs.com only turned up one listing.

ExecGlobalNet.com -- This site operates a bit differently than most executive job search websites. To get started, you would complete a short profile about yourself, including your professional background. Companies with executive roles to fill would (theoretically) search the website for qualified candidates. If they found you and thought you were a match, they would send you a description of the job. You could then evaluate it and follow up if interested. Because of this, it's a bit more passive than some of the other job search websites on this list. But it's worth experimenting with at the least.

RiseSmart.com -- With this website, you would register and fill out a profile including your ideal job. Then, every few days, you would receive job listings that could be a potential match. When you find one that interest you, you'd apply for the position through the site. Click on the "View Demo" link in the main menu, and you can watch a video explanation of how this executive job search website works, what makes it different, etc.

Learn More: This blog post is part of an ongoing series of lessons. Visit the table of contents page to get more tips on finding a job.

Choosing the Best Resume Format - Don't Sweat It Too Much

Tips on Finding a Job >> Your Resume Format

I remember taking a resume class when I was in college, where they told us to use a certain resume format for scenario 'A,' a different format for scenario 'B' and so on. It all seemed so rigid to me at the time, and since then I've read dozens of articles from "experts" who have argued back and forth on this subject. It's enough to make your head spin!

A few years later, I found myself in the role of a hiring manager, screening the resumes sent in by job applicants. And you know what? I didn't care what format a particular resume was in, as long as it was (A) well organized and easy to read and (B) relevant to the job posting. In other words, if I could easily read the resume to find relevant experience, the format did not matter to me at all.

Some resume "purists" will disagree with me on this, and that's fine. But I have spoken to enough people in hiring roles to know that the specific format will not make or break a resume. Here's the bottom line -- if a resume is organized in some logical way, and it showcases the right skills and credentials, it will probably make it through the initial screening process.

In all of the screening situations I've been involved with over the years, I've never heard a manager or supervisor say: "Well, these three people seem to be equally qualified, but this one uses the chronological resume format, which is my absolute favorite, so she gets my vote!" It jut doesn't happen this way.

The Best Resume Format

Personally, I've often thought the best resume format was the "hybrid" style -- one that combines the best qualities of several different formats. Aside from that, readability and organization should be your guide.

I also recommend that you tailor a unique resume each time you apply for a job. This will give you more flexibility with the information you include, and it will help you put your most relevant skills and accomplishments right up top. In my experience, this is much more important than adhering to the guidelines of this or that resume format.

It's also important to realize that much of the resume guidance online today it outdated. There's certainly no harm in this kind of old-school advice, and it does have it merits. But it can often lead to a condition I refer to as "analysis paralysis," in which the job seeker spends more time tweaking the resume format than doing something useful -- like finding a job.

People have been regurgitating the same advice for decades about the "functional" resume format versus the "chronological" format, which one to use in which situation, etc. But there are no studies that prove one format more effective than another. It's all based on common sense.

Instead of locking yourself into such a rigid mindset, I recommend taking the following approach:

• Gather some sample resumes online. You can find plenty of them by doing a Google search. College websites usually have a good collection of them.
  
• Find one that matches the kind of job you are seeking, as much as possible.
• Start with that format, and then customize it as needed to incorporate your information.
• Step back and ask yourself: "Does this resume put my most significant credentials toward the top?" If it does not, rearrange it until it does.
• Then ask yourself: "Is this format arranged in a logical way? Will it make sense to a stranger?"
• Make sure your resume is easy to read by using one-inch margins, bold sub-headers, bullet points, etc. I've tossed many resumes aside in the past simply because they had no formatting. A page full of dense text with no spacing or subheading is hard to read -- it literally hurts your eyeballs!
• Do you have a friend or family member who has experience screening resumes? Somebody in a supervisory or management role? Ask them to look at your first draft and suggest improvements.
• And then get out there and start job hunting. Once you feel that your resume is the best it can be, start putting it to use. Tailor the content as needed for different job descriptions, but don't spend any more time sweating the format.
  

Here's what you should take away from this. Resume formats are a good starting point, but they are not written in stone. You can use a sample resume or a template to save time when creating your own, but you shouldn't feel like you are tied to any particular format. You're not.

Yes, your resume should be well organized and follow some kind of logical structure. Yes, it should be formatted to make it easy to read. Most importantly, your resume should contain the types of skills and experience the company is looking for. But beyond all of that, most hiring managers will not care what format you use.

Learn More: This blog post is part of an ongoing series of lessons. Visit the table of contents page to get more tips on finding a job.

A Tough Job Market for College Graduates - But Not Impossible

Article Summary: College graduates who enter the job market in 2009 and 2010 must compete with an unprecedented number of unemployed Americans with more on-the-job experience. Here are some tips for overcoming this challenge.

College graduates have always faced certain challenges when entering the job market for the first time. A lack of experience resulting from the time spent in college is the first thing that comes to mind. But for the rest of 2009 and well into 2010, college students will face another big challenge -- the job market is flooded with unemployed but highly experienced candidates.

The first step to success is understanding just how competitive the job market will be for recent college graduates (and anyone else seeking employment, for that matter). So allow me to present some downright startling statistics.

Job Market Snapshot

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, mass layoffs led to more than 500,000 separations. In other words, half a million workers with some degree of on-the-job experience flooded the job market at the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009.

In November of 2008, the unemployment rate in the U.S. was 6.7%, which was the highest number in more than fifteen years. But it has only risen since then. In January of this year, the nationwide unemployment rate had reached 7.6%, and it's expected to continue rising through the rest of 2009.

What does all of this mean for recent college graduates and those who will graduate this year? It means this: College graduates entering the job market in 2009 and early 2010 will face more competition than we've seen since the Great Depression.

Did I get your attention with that last statement? Good. That was my intention. In fact, that's the whole point of this blog host -- to give you a realistic view of the current job market and how it might affect you. But you don't have to be frightened by these statistics. You just need to understand them, and you need to realize that you'll have to go above and beyond if you want to land a good job in 2009.

Advice for College Graduates

So, what can you do to increase your chances of finding a job in a highly competitive job market flooded with experienced workers. It's a big challenge, for sure, but there are certain things you can do to tip the scales in your favor.

1. Be Willing to Settle for Less

This is the best piece of advice I can offer to recent graduates who are entering the job market. If you're expecting to wave your diploma in the air and have people offering you management jobs, you'll probably be disappointed. Why? Because in 2009 and 2010 you'll be competing with legions of job seekers who have advanced education and real-world experience. The economy will make sure of this.

So the first thing you need to do is enter the job market with realistic expectations. I'm not telling you to aim low in your job search -- not at all. I'm telling you to realize what you're up against, and to be open to a wide variety of opportunities. This is not the kind of job market where you should pass up an opportunity just because it's not your dream job. The next opportunity might not come for a long time. If you have student loans and credit card debts to pay off, this is even more important.

2. Leverage Your Network

As a recent college graduate, you may not have an extensive network of business contacts. But you still have a network of friends and family, and many graduates before you have found jobs by tapping into this network. Here are some tips for using your network effectively. In this kind of job market, you need every advantage you can find, and this includes your personal contacts and family members. You never know who has useful connections until you ask. So put your pride aside and ask for help.

3. Be Flexible With Your Location

Some cities have been hit worse by layoffs and unemployment than other. So depending on where you live, you may want to seek work in a nearby city or even out of state. For example, a recent graduate from Wayne State University in Detroit might want to look for a job outside of that city. With the car company layoffs, there's even more competition for job seekers there.

With this being said, you have a better statistical chance of getting a job if you apply for positions where you currently reside. Applying for jobs out of state (or even out of driving distance) is much harder, because you can't just pop in for an interview at the employer's convenience. Take it from me -- some hiring managers won't even look at a resume that's not from a local resident, and for this very reason. So start local, focus on the places where you'd like to live, but be flexible and willing to go where the work is.

4. Limit Your Living Expenses

You've just graduated from college, and now you're excited to strike out on your own and make your own living. I know how you feel. I've been there. But before you plop down a deposit for the high-priced apartment, consider how it affects your job search process. The more bills and living expenses you pile up, the higher the salary you'll need to cover them. And the higher you go up the pay scale, the fewer jobs there are. Living with the parents might not be the cool thing to do, but it could save you a lot in the way of monthly expenses. That is, if they'll even let you back in! :-)

5. Go Above and Beyond to Distinguish Yourself

When there's a lot of people competing for a limited number of jobs, you have to work harder to set yourself apart. You can do this in many ways, and it doesn't always come down to past work experience. For example, a marketing / advertising major who is looking for a job in that field could set up a creative website where they "sell" themselves as a product. I once created a website called HireBrandon2007.com, and it helped me land a job with a direct marketing company.

You should also tailor your resume for each job posting. This allows you to prioritize certain skills and credentials to make your resume more relevant for the position being advertised. Here are some more tips for going above and beyond to find a job in this tough market we are in. This one is a must-read for college graduates, so be sure to check it out.

6. Communicate Better Than Your Competitors

I've hired for several entry-level positions in the past, which means I've screened a lot of recent college graduates who were entering the job market for the first time. More often than not, I was appalled by their lack of basic communication skills. I won't theorize on how instant messaging has eroded communication (that's another article entirely), but I will say this. The few applicants who know how to write a polished email and communicate well on the phone really stood out. I often hired them over equally qualified candidates for this very reason.

You'd be surprised how much communications skills can help when you're applying for a job. In the past, I would check resumes simply to ensure the person had the basic skills needed to get started. Then I would used the initial phone call and the interview to assess their communication skills, enthusiasm, etc. I have turned down qualified applicants who could not communicate well, and I have hired barely qualified applicants who were great speakers and writers. A lot of hiring managers feel the same way about this.

Conclusion and Going Forward

It's a tough job market for college graduates right now, and it will be for some time. There's no doubt about that. But this doesn't make it impossible to find a good job -- it just makes it harder. Your first step is to accept the reality of this situation. If you can face the facts about the challenges before you, you'll be more inclined to meet that challenge head-on, and this is exactly what you must do. Follow the advice offered in this article, and across this blog in general, and stick to our guns. You'll find a job soon enough.

Learn More: This blog post is part of an ongoing series of lessons. Visit the table of contents page to get more tips on finding a job.