Seven Tips for Job Hunters

US News lists 17 rules for job seekers. I especially like these:

3. On the resume and in the interview, don’t talk about how hard you worked. Stress what was achieved.

4. Don’t forget to give credit to others. Employers are suspicious of "solo" performances.

8. Project an attitude of Interested. That’s in contrast to Abnormally Interested and Desperate.

9. Be nice to everyone. The receptionist may be more influential than an oral board member.

11. Craft answers for the simple interview questions (“Why should we hire you?”) before preparing for the complicated ones. Why? You won’t be embarrassed if you flub a complicated one.

16. Always send a thank-you note after an interview.

17. If it is made at all, the offer for the job you want usually arrives a week after the offer for the job you don’t want.

Here are my thoughts on these:

1. Yes! Yes! Yes! Accomplishments! Accomplishments! Accomplishments!

2. I usually include "we" several times in an interview. If you say something like "the time I led my team to save our company $250,000" and "one of my team members came up with such-and-such, we worked to modify it a bit, and our sales went up 10%", it shows that you're not only a team player but that you're also a leader and someone who gets things done.

3. You need to show some interest/excitement in the opportunity. Otherwise, why would they want to hire you? Remember, attitude matters a ton (and this is part of having a good/upbeat attitude.)

4. Reminder: you're always on and the little things matter.

5. I'd say craft answers to as many answers as you can think of. Then rehearse.

6. I ALWAYS send a thank you note.

7. Ha! Tell me about it!!! :-)

Comments

[Ken]

Two quick stories about #9

One summer when I was working in the warehouse of a textile plant one of the middle managers asked me to pick up newly minted MBA graduate who was applying for a job as his deputy. Went to the diner where the applicant was waiting (he had come in by bus). He was eating his breakfast and when I pointed out that I had to get back to the warehouse because I had to help unload a truck that was waiting he rather haughtily explained to me that I would just have to wait until he was done. I didn't bother telling him that I was just working there for the summer and that my grandfather, father and uncles owned the company... He didn't get a second interview.

Story #2 When I was a young lawyer I went to a seminar conducted by the most successful trial lawyer in South Florida. He talked about how 30 years before, he had gotten his first job with the most elite litigation firm in the area. His new boss said to him on the first day " come with me I'm going to introduce you to all the important people in town". He then took the young lawyer to the courthouse and introduced him to every single clerk, secretary and bailiff in the building. They then returned to the office without even trying to meet with any of the judges or government officials.

[Brian]

The problem for me is getting to the interview. A few weeks ago I was was pursuing a job, much like I had with many before. Sent in my resume via email or their company website, they call and tell me how great my resume looks and tell me to come in. I come in, fill out a paper application, and take a few tests (basic math, Word and Excel). I call to follow up and was told though I did well on the tests they would not move me on to the interview phase. I was very upset as it was a job I really wanted (#8) and was fully prepared for the interview (#11 in the list).

[FMF]

Brian --

Did you find out why you weren't moving on?

[Melissa]

I struggle with #3 a lot. I'm a graphic artist for a newspaper and I have no idea how to state my accomplishments because what I do doesn't directly generate revenue for the company. I have the kind of job where no one notices how good a job I do until something goes wrong. Occasionally a salesperson will let me know the advertiser really liked what I created for them. But I can't point to something specific I've done that caused revenue to increase by $XX during the 3rd quarter. I have non-creative tasks as well, but those aren't money generators either but are still very necessary in the production of our paper.

I will be getting laid off within the next year and I'm looking outside the design field. Potential employers will have no interest in my portfolio. What do you do when you're just a cog in the wheel that makes the whole machine work?

[FMF]

Melissa --

First of all, everyone has some accomplishments. For a graphic designer, you just have to be more creative with what those are. :-)

I've had designers work for me in the past and here are some valuable accomplishments they've done/can claim:

*Won a design award that generated publicity for the company.

*Completed 25% more work than comparable designers.

*Led design team in creation of POS piece that generated a 10% sales increase.

*Consistently completed assignments on time at high quality level.

These are just some examples (and not very good ones since they're off the cuff, but they give you an idea of what you can look for.)

That said, if there's absolutely no way to show accomplishments, how do people in your field get hired? Do that -- and do it better than everyone else.

Now if you're moving into a field that is totally unrelated, that's a much harder sell. You'll probably need to start at the bottom again (or at least a few levels down) like most people do when they change careers.

[Melissa]

Thanks for taking the time to respond. How do people in my field get hired? Well, I got my present job based on my portfolio but mainly due to my prior newspaper experience. I was familiar with the environment and that put me ahead of a lot of other candidates. My previous job I got because of my computer skills and a newsletter I designed in college. In both cases no specific accomplishments to speak of, just providing proof that I had an eye for design and was a hard worker. I've discussed this issue with my superiors and even they are at a loss as to how to link what we do to tangible results. But they understand the nature of our work so they recognize the value of what I contribute.

I will most likely be changing fields, since design positions in my area are scarce. I don't mind starting over at the bottom, it just seems unbelievable to have spent a decade in this field and not have anything to show for it other than a strong work ethic, which seems to not hold as much value as it used to.

[FMF]

Melissa --

I would say that a strong work ethic is still valuable (though maybe not as much), but accomplishments are worth much more (and much rarer to find).

Good luck to you!!!!

[Melissa]

Thanks!

Switching fields will be tough but if I can just get my foot in the door, I think I can prove myself to any employer. I won't give up!