Read Robin’s Job Search Tip of the Days

Take this Interview Readiness Quiz to see if you need to polish up your skills. Next, keep in mind that the image you present to a potential employer is the first thing they are going to notice about you. So, before you even have a chance to say a word or shake a hand, you must convey that you are a professional by the way you present yourself. To insure you’ll make a terrific first impression, pull together your interview outfit and cast a critical eye on it. Professional positions demand a suit, though women can wear a sheath dress with a blazer or classy sweater over it. Does your outfit look contemporary? Does it fit perfectly? Is the color flattering? Is your hairstyle current and enhances your appearance? Put on your outfit, look in the mirror, and ask yourself: Do I feel confident and ready to sell myself? If the answer to any of these questions is no, head to the mall and/or hair salon immediate so you’ll look your best and impress when employers call you in to interview.

Conducting your own professional image makeover is essential especially if you are twenty-something or over age 40. These two groups of people, HR managers say, most often need an image update.

For more help, read “60 Seconds + You’re Hired” on job Interviewing

You need to be prepared for a job interview at a moment’s notice. So, begin to day by taking a pen and paper in hand. Write out answers to these five questions you’ll likely get asked. Edit and perfect them. Keep your answer to 60 seconds or less.  Rehearse so you’ll be confident and smooth when you are asked:

• Why did you leave your last job? (or want to leave current job?)
• What is your greatest weakness on the job?
• Why should I hire you?
• What is the salary amount you are seeking for this job?
• Describe the worse boos you’ve ever had.

If you need specific guidance answering these or other interview questions, consult the book: 60 Seconds & You’re Hired!

Previous Tip:

It takes years and a great deal of money to earn an MBA. Investigate the school carefully before you begin. Review the placement records on its last two graduating classes.  Pay careful attention to how the program is rated by outside agencies. Ask HR managers their views of the different colleges’ programs. Ask more recent MBA graduates their opinions too.

Know what you are paying for so you don’t end up spending tens of thousands of dollars and going in debt to find that employers think poorly of the college you chose to attend and devalue your hard earned degree.

Note: My next eNewsletter is on MBA job search….with details on how to more effectively manage your job search.

Robin Ryan’s job search tip

I recommend you take this Resume assessment quiz BEFORE you send out another resume. It’s free –go to: http://www.robinryan.com/site/?p=2564

Now you have that feedback on your current resume. Take time to really review your resume as this is your personal advertisement to employers. Is it generic? If so, it will fail to get employer attention. The best way to proceed is to create a results-orientated resume for each job title you plan to search for.

Be sure you detail your accomplishments (results you’ve achieved), and skills needed to perform that specific job.  You may need more than one resume if you are searching 2 or 3 different job options.  Mature workers often have several career options available. Decide on your key strengths, and where you are most marketable. Then hone that resume until it is a concise advertisement and quickly conveys the kind of results you deliver. Re-writing your resume may be just the step you need to get some employers attention.

Keep it to no more than two pages. Find samples in my new book Over 40 + You’re Hired. For detailed writing guides, numerous samples plus an MS word template for easy layouts and formats in samples you’d want to use:  The Standout Resume and Cover Letter Creation Program

Job Search Tip’s

Start actively looking again. Even if you had given up –the job market is changing. Be sure to use both sweep sites to insure you don’t miss anything. These two sites pull employer ads off other job boards, employer sites and are two websites worth the effort to use. I have my clients use both www.indeed.com and also www.simplyhired.com

The ‘tips” section can help you have a more effective search …but do NOT count on email alerts…when I tested these on numerous sites they often miss jobs you’d qualify for and find if you searched the site yourself.

For more website recommendations –especially industry niche sites – go to www.robinryan.com and click on Resources. This is a free service (you only need to register) and has an extensive list of recommendations of websites and tools to use.

Great opportunities are out there and one has your name on it!

First you must change your attitude and assume that you can and WILL find a new job. From now on begin your day with at least one hour of exercise – walking is a good way to start the day.  This gets your endorphins going and lifts your mood. When you are working out listen to feel-good music, it’s a universal mood improver. Then tackle your job search activities for the day.

Develop a Can-do. Will-do. Done! Attitude. This is the attitude so many CEOs live by: Can-do – meaning they believe they resolve problems; they’ll find a way to do it, or they will find some expert to direct them to the solution. Will-do – they implement the action steps to achieve a successful outcome. Done! – they accomplish the goal.  Follow the lead of successful people.  Write out your goals, read some articles and books for new ideas.  Visualize success for yourself.  Thinking about success really does create it, because as you think about success you’ll begin to do things in a more effective way.

Tip of the day:

Here are a couple key strategies for you to narrow down potential Federal Jobs you can apply for. Keep in mind, the government hires people all across the country.

• Go to the federal job openings

• To determine if jobs are available where you live, do your first search listing only state + do not select any other criteria – example I searched “Washington” since I live in the Seattle area and I got 1078 job openings in my state.

• Review these more quickly by clicking on the “Job Summary” heading at the top of the listings. This puts the listings in alphabetical order so you can more easily scan for job titles BUT be warned –it only did 1000 and then it stopped.

• If you want to do a narrow search and only consider jobs near where you live click on the “advance search” link under the WHERE box at top of page. This lets you select some criteria….

•Pick a TITLE search word such as “writer” or “project” this selection pulls job with that word in the JOB TITLE. Where as Manager is to broad the word “Project” finds project manager jobs.

•If you prefer a certain agency, i.e. FBI or Veterans Affairs you can search to see if what jobs that agency has open.

•Listing often cover several areas that have the same opening. Also pay attention to the level advertised. Many openings have varying levels such as one GS 8 job and then one GS 10 with the GS 10 requiring more experience and skills which is why it’ll pay a higher salary.

•The listing has several tabs across the top. Read each one which are in order: Overview; Duties; Qualifications; Benefits + other info; HOW TO APPLY.

•Carefully follow and complete everything needed in their application process. It can be very lengthy. Some involve added questions others have special requirements that you must have to be considered

•Be sure you apply BEFORE the closing date.

TIP OF THE DAY:

The largest US employer is the Federal government. And where most State governments are NOT hiring and laying off people, the federal government IS HIRING and the salaries are high paying. This makes the US government a great place to find your next position. The application process is often cumbersome but persevere since many people won’t put the added effort in to apply. Federal Jobs are available all across the nation, so refocus your job search to looking at the federal job openings.

March 1st, 2010:

Take the Interview Readiness QUIZ How did you do? If you weren’t acing the test then begin by polishing your interview skills. Start the interview in the best possible way: when the interviewer asks the, ‘Tell me about yourself’ question, forget an autobiography. Use the 60 Second Sell.  This technique has you analyze the job duties the employer wants accomplished, then select your top five selling points — your strongest abilities, any significant accomplishments, experience and skills that demonstrate that you can do the job.  Link these five points together in a few sentences and you have created a ‘verbal business card’ that is the most effective way to begin and to close the interview. My clients have said that this technique was the factor that helped them land the job.

For more assistance in acing your next interview, read the book: 60 Seconds & You’re Hired!

TIP OF THE DAY: S.M.A.R.T. goal setting is the most effective way to get your new job faster.  Set your goals and perform your action steps every day

S.M.A.R.T. goals:

• Specific — a written goal with all steps necessary to complete it
• Measurable — you and others can see how you are progressing
• Achievable — stretch but still possible to do
• Realistic — relying only on your own efforts
• Targeted — a clear objective noting consequences and potential rewards