The EPG Connection

 

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What do you find when you “Google” your name? Do you come up on page 1 or is that someone else with the same name? Do you come up on page 2? Any of the pages? Does “digital dirt” come up (like your recent FaceBook photos showing last weekend’s beer party)? Is this what you would want a potential employer to see? Because like it or not, employers and recruiters are checking you out. Your online presence, or lack of it, IS INFLUENCING the powers that be in their hiring decisions.

So what should you do about this? Set a goal of building your online presence. A great place to start is with LinkedIn.com, a popular business networking site that today’s recruiters are using to sleuth for candidates. There is extensive information online about this site, as well as books, blogs, and workshops.* Creating a profile on this site can help you get onto page 1 of Google – no charge. You can also check out industry blogs (use technorati.com to search for blogs by topic) and comment intelligently on them – this raises your Google presence and can help promote a positive image. You can also create your own blog, just be sure you are writing things that demonstrate expertise in your field of interest – or at least that your blog does not add any more personal “dirt” to the blogosphere. If you do any public speaking or publish an article – even in the opinion section of the newspaper - it can lead to a Google note about you on page 1 of a search.

How to get rid of “digital dirt”? Well, like any dirt, you either remove it or sweep it under the rug. So, you may want to consider removing some FaceBook pictures from last week’s keg party. Also, learn how to use the privacy controls on these sites. And finally, the more you “add”, the more you build your presence. So get moving and see what you can do to influence others!

* Resources:

• My favorite books on this topic is “I’m on Linked In, Now What?” by Jason Alva, and “Career Distinction, Stand Out By Building Your Brand” by William Arruda and Kirsten Dixson
• Favorite local guru is Howard Yermish - linkedin.com/in/hyermish

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www.dynamicresumesofNJ.comHave you ever been told that you are “overqualified” for a position? What does this really mean? You know you can do the job, you are willing to do it, you’d be the perfect candidate, and the employer is rejecting you because you have what?…too many qualifications?! Seems a little ironic, no? You can help them, you’re available, and you’ll even take the salary package…..why don’t they want you? What is the story here? The story is usually FEAR. What the company means is that they are afraid…of being burned.

Let’s consider things from their point of view. When a candidate has considerable experience at a higher level than a given job opening, the employer wonders why this person wants the job and suspects all types of problems: Is the candidate having some difficulty getting a job at the right level? If so, maybe she just wants this job “in the meantime” but will leave as soon as the right opportunity presents itself? or perhaps the person would work out well initially, but become bored quickly and will leave for a more challenging position? The employer also often assumes that the candidate is used to a higher salary and is going to be a problem during salary negotiations. So, now can you begin to understand their hesitation?

What can you do if you are hearing the “OQ” comment? Assure the employer that you are “fully qualified” not “overqualified.” Be sure to address the concerns that they may be thinking. Your cover letter should highlight your enthusiasm for the opening and the desire to be productive for that employer. Check your resume – be sure you “downsize” the focus on your more senior level achievements and highlight contributions at this particular level instead. During the interview, convey how you can hit the ground running. Bring up the fact that you are looking to be paid fairly for the level of the position and you realize that your prior compensation was for a different level of responsibility. Do your homework to see what it is they need and address it. As always, wishing you the best of success!

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Many job seekers are exploring new careers right now because they need a change or the economy is forcing that change. This is a scary thought for most people. What are your options? What else are you good at? Where do you start?Why is change so scary? Well, first of all, change means going into the unknown. You know your job, your expertise, your contacts, processes, and more. Now you will have to be the “newbie” and that’s always stressful. It also means rocking the boat – staying where you are is much more comfortable than delving into new waters. On the other hand, change can be exhilarating and can lift you out of a stagnant situation. When we have many years left in the workplace, there’s no reason to remain stuck in a job or industry that is personally unrewarding.So, take a deep breath! Before undertaking any ambitious goal, it’s a good idea to do some research, some exploration, and some reflection to help fine-tune a goal that you will be comfortable going after. Be realistic about whether the goal is attainable for you and what the financial impact of any change might be.Assessment – If you have absolutely no idea, you might want to start with a skills / career assessment. Some are available online but I recommend working with a trusted career counselor to guide you in the use and interpretation of these tools. Assessments should be viewed only as a starting point to do further research on the careers suggested. Another idea is to be creative about turning a hobby or other passion into a possible career. For example, do you like dogs? How about a dog sitting service?.Research – It can be very helpful to research potential careers. Look up information on sites such as www.online.onetcenter.org, www.careeroverview.com, or www.careers.org. Look at current job boards such as monster and hotjobs to see if there is hiring going on in those careers. Use www.salary.com to help you ballpark compensation ranges. Find people who do these careers to see what they think of their chosen field – do they like it? What is a typical day / week like for them? What is the potential for growth? What type of training or education do you need to succeed in this field?

Action – Now it’s time to make a decision about direction. Be realistic about your choice. Would enjoy doing this job? Is it attainable? Do you have the appropriate credentials? If needed, check out programs that offer these. Perhaps you can work a part-time or temporary position while you earn these credentials. Maybe you can find a position that will give you some entry level experience in your new field of interest. Perhaps you can volunteer somewhere to gain insight and experience. Once you are prepared, the final step will be to begin an active job search in your new field.

Success – Network with people in your new chosen field to develop relationships and to learn everything you can about your new area. Create a resume that repositions you for the new career. You must highlight the skills, experience, and any credentials that relate to the new career. Write a cover letter that gives a compelling reason to consider you as a great candidate. Above all, be sure that everything you state is honest. Then be sure to be persistent and positive. I’ve seen enough successful career transitions to know that it can be done. Wishing you the best of success in your search!

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www.dynamicresumesofNJ.comAccording to the website www.itsyoursmartgrid.com, green jobs are paying 10% to 20% more than other jobs. They also report that the U.S. government is putting billions of dollars into the creation of green jobs and a greener environment. Consider these facts reported by the site: The President recently designated $500 million dollars to green job training and $20 billion to creating a greener economy. The federal government has pledged hundreds of billions of dollars on energy related projects.Try googling “green jobs” and you will come across a ton of info and links to green careers, green education, and green job sites. Green jobs focus on renewable energy, conserving resources, and helping the environment. So, this all adds up to more jobs, money, public support, and good outcomes for the future of our planet, our retirement, our health, and our children. It sure seems like a good place to start looking for opportunities if you are not yet doing so.Here are some places you can start:

50Green.com

Greenjobs.com

Greenbiz.com

Greenjobs.net

Sustaninablebusiness.com

Ecotraining.com

Greenjobsnow.com

Greenjobsconference.org

EcoEmploy.com

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www.dynamicresumesofNJ.comHow do you calculate what you NEED when you negotiate salary? And what do you SAY in response to the salary question? Back in my recruiting days, I would sometimes hear candidates tell me that they figured out that they NEED to make $X dollars in their next job. But to be brutally and completely honest, I know for a fact that the employers do not CARE what you “need” to make. In general, it is not that they are heartless…but they do have a different point of view. It is a business point of you and you NEED to understand this if you are going to negotiate effectively for a position.

When employers hear candidates describe what they NEED, it is a real turn-off. The candidate has not addressed the items that the employer cares about. In order to successfully close an offer, you must address the employer’s needs and what they care about. What does the employer care about? They care that they have found someone who is good at what they do, that the candidate is going to help them (with efficiency, professionalism, product development, customer service, etc.) to impact the bottom line in some way. They care that the individual is a good “fit” with others in the department, that they are on board with the company culture, and that the salary offered will be within their budget and within the range of what the position can pay.

What if their range does not match your NEEDS? After all, we really do have NEEDS, right? And you certainly must calculate your needs to know if a job is worthwhile for you to accept. But do yourself a favor - keep that information to yourself, please! What should you do? First, figure out if you want the job and if you want to work for that company. If so, find out what their range is, research market pricing for comparable positions in that geographic area (try www.salary.com), and yes, of course, calculate your true NEEDS, not just your wants. Use the knowledge of what you can DO for the employer to show your value and give them compelling reasons to WANT you. Keep in mind that salary is one portion of a total compensation package. Where are you willing to be flexible? If the salary is not the best, maybe you can get more vacation time, a better health package, a better pension plan, a car allowance, a sign-on bonus, etc. Think outside the box people! And, if you have given the employer those compelling reasons to WANT you, you never know what creative options they will come up with to be sure that you will say yes to them!

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www.dynamicresumesofNJ.comWe just cleared Labor Day weekend and suddenly the signs of fall are all around - the weather has become cooler, leaves are already falling, and displays at the mall are clearly reflecting a new season. It’s as if everything around us is in “update” mode, even Mother Nature. Though we may not want to say good-bye to summer, seeing the transformation is truly refreshing. The changes invigorate and energize. Things are fresh and different. We sit up and take notice of the updates. Sometimes, we can’t quite put our finger on what is different, but we feel a change around us and our senses are enlivened…we are attracted to it…we turn our head to do a double take.

So the question is – where do you stand in this update season? Have you “refreshed” yourself? Are you in update mode so that others – particularly employers – will sit up and take notice of you? In this highly competitive time during a difficult economy, don’t we all want employers to be attracted to us as candidates? To do that double-take? Here are some ideas to “update for fall”:

Professional Involvement – Be sure you are participating in professional associations in your field. Contribute to your profession, perhaps by serving on boards or committees to share your expertise. Read industry journals to be informed.

Seminars and Training - Attend seminars or courses to stay current with new trends and skills.

LinkedIn Review your LinkedIn site to be sure everything is up to date and that you are maximizing its potential. Check your profile to see that it is exuding your brand.

Career Management – Evaluate the current status of your career. Review your current goals. Craft a plan for how to get there.

Resume – Ensure that your resume is current. Review it to see that it is targeted and market-focused. See that it reflects your value to employers. Powerfully illustrate your unique accomplishments.

Network – Keep in touch with your network. Serve as a resource to those you can help.

Blogs, Twitter, FaceBook – Use social networking on the web to reach out to others. Be sure messages convey the right image and that you would not mind a potential employer seeing what is there.

Image – Don’t be offended by this one but… have you taken a critical look in the mirror? Do you look a little outdated? Maybe you could use a lift through a new hairstyle or clothing. Or perhaps, a new exercise routine could give you a fresh glow.

Good news - the local recruiters I know are saying that job orders are increasing (hooray!). So invest time to update “you”. You will feel more confident and will project a cutting edge impression that will turn those heads!

 

Do I really need a cover letter?

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Do recruiters really read those cover letters that you painstakingly write? How about managers? Some do - some don’t! I know some managers who never look at them. I also know some who will not even look at a resume if there is no cover letter. Since you have no idea who will and who won’t, it’s in your best interest to include one just in case! And, I would propose that if you don’t, you are missing out on an opportunity to sell yourself. The cover letter is another chance for you to attract the reader’s attention and tell them concisely and powerfully why you are the right candidate for the job. What should you include in a cover letter? Obtain any information about the job from the ad, the company website, and networking, if possible. Explain your key qualifications in relation to a specific position and what you think you can do for this company. If possible, identify any prior impacts or accomplishments that are relevant. Be specific but brief - no one is going to read a long cover letter. Give them a compelling reason to want to bring you in for an interview. Finally, review your letter and see if it is marketing the image you want to project. Wishing you lots of success!

How do I leverage my references?

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Recently, I was asked how a job seeker could leverage their references during a job search. As you might expect, I have some questions about this question:

• WHO are your references?
• Are your references really even providing information?
• Are your references providing POSITVE information about you?

References generally should be work colleagues, preferably former managers, who can attest to your work performance in detail and can verify all of that other work-related “stuff” such as reliability, initiative, communication skills, and more. Vendors can serve as references as well, if you deal with them often as part of your job. I sometimes see job seekers include “personal references”, such as friends, relatives, etc. These people should not be on your list unless asked specifically for such references. It’s rare that they would be able to provide any relevant work-related information and even if they could, they would be thought to be biased.

On the employer side, trying to gather reference information requires detective work. Many former employers will only provide confirmation of employment dates to callers. They have adopted a practice of not giving out any information at all because of concerns with legal suits. So, you need to be prepared to provide names and contact information for references who will talk. When you leave a company, ask your manager and other appropriate colleagues for letters of reference. You may lose contact with those individuals should they move on to other companies. So, while recruiters usually ideally want to make a live call, a written letter provides excellent evidence of a desirable candidate.  Solicit active “recommendations” from appropriate sources to post on your “LinkedIn” profile (see http://www.linkedin.com/). You can refer potential employers to this site to view them. Finally, have a typed list of potential references ready that you can provide when asked. Be sure to ask these people if they are willing to be contacted as a reference.

Job seekers often wonder how they can insure that their references are POSITIVE?! First, be sure that you always maintain good relations with others. Even if you have a conflict or disagreement with someone – especially your boss – try to always conduct yourself in a professional manner. When you change positions, it’s just not the time to share any negative thoughts or words that you’ve been “saving up.” If you suspect that a reference is sharing negative information you can discreetly check this out by using the services of a reference checking firm or have a friend pose as a potential hiring manager to verify the response. Also, take note that in this technology-age, employers are regularly “googling” potential candidates and signing onto sites such as Facebook to check out prospective new hires. So, be careful about what you post on networking sites…and be sure to check out what pops up when you google your name! Remember to get involved in professional networks and volunteer your time. Those you work with can serve as excellent references not only for your skills, but also for your “softer skills” such as taking the initiative, follow through on projects, collaboration and more. As always, wishing you the best of success!

Are you FLEXIBLE for the current economy?

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The biggest question I get from job seekers right now is “Why am I not getting a job?” Everyone wants to know the “big secret” to landing a position right now. It is a really tough time out there as we all know. And honestly, if you ask recruiters they will tell you that there is not a large quantity of jobs out there right now, so it is highly competitive for each position. I don’t know that there is a “big secret” out there, but I do see some people being more successful than others. How are THEY doing it?

What is the “big secret”? As you know, there are numerous components of a job search including determining your job target, writing a resume and cover letter, networking, electronic job searches, interviewing, and more. While each step should to be examined to determine if it needs fine tuning, there is an underlying component throughout the process that deserves attention and that is FLEXIBILITY. Are you being flexible in your job target? We all have an “ideal” job we’d like to get – along with ideal location, ideal salary, ideal boss, etc. But in tough times, you may need to be open-minded and flexible about the possibilities. You may need to seriously consider a plan B. You may need to re-think what salary range is acceptable. Is it better to take a low-paying position when you really need some income coming in or take a risk and hold out for a higher offer that might not come? Are you being flexible about considering other possibilities, such as part-time or weekend work? These are difficult decisions in a difficult time. Only you can determine what solution will work for you. Secrets? No. But perhaps flexibility is one solution that may help to get through a tough time. Wishing you the best of success!

Have You Polished Your Elevator Speech?

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Most of you have heard of an “Elevator Speech”, right? The story goes something like this – let’s say you have an interview for a job you really want. You get into the elevator on the first floor of the building and find out the other person in the elevator is the head honcho who is going to have the final say in whether you get hired.  You now have about 60 seconds to ride in the elevator with her to the top floor.  When she finds out that you are the candidate under consideration, she seems curious about you. What “speech” can you give her in that elevator ride to peak her interest and ensure that you get the offer? Ahhhhh! If you don’t know, then you need to figure this out – and fast! You meet people all the time, especially if you are networking, attending professional organization meetings, and actively pursuing job leads. Sometimes, you really only have about an “elevator ride” worth of time to impress someone or not. So what can you do? Try to identify what you really want to market about yourself and what sets you apart out there. Think about the impacts and successes you have had in the last few years. What would your manager say about you? What value do you add? What do you want other networking professionals to remember about you? Practice your “elevator speech” out loud. Listen to other people’s answers when you ask them what they do – what impresses you? Who do you remember and why? These are not easy questions to answer – but investing some time and careful thought into your “elevator speech” can create a lot of opportunities for you. Best of Success!