5 reminders about interviews

5 REMINDERS ABOUT INTERVIEWS

When does the interview start?

How do you prepare?

What should you bring?

How do I leave it?

How should I follow up?

In looking up the definition of "Interview" I found it means: discuss formally with someone for the purpose of an evaluation.

When you're called to come in for an interview, I believe it is a TWO WAY evaluation. They have questions and so should you!

So when does the interview start? The evaluation begins before you walk in the door, even before you get the call for the interview. They're checking you out. They are studying your resume. They are looking at your online profiles. They are Googling you. While your preparation begins even before you submit an application, the interview, with the traditional understanding of them evaluating you starts as you pull in the parking lot and walk in their office. How you treat the receptionist matters. How you dress matters. What you bring with you matters. Everything factors in. There's an old addage about first impressions...I forget how it goes.

How do you prepare? What if they ask you as the first question, "What did you do to prepare for this interview?" If you tell them you looked at their website, could you tell them three things about it you liked, or three things you didn't like? That is a pretty common question because it shows how detail oriented you are. It shows how interested you are in the position. Beyond that, you can talk to people who work at the company - call up the sales department, tell them you are coming in for an interview and ask them for a few minutes to describe the product or service, features and benefits, challenges and competitive landscape. Sales people talk too much. Use that to your benefit.

Google them. Go check out their website. Go to competitor's websites. Look them up at Hoovers.com, Manta.com, Jigsaw.com, LinkedIn.com, check Google for news articles, check them out on Twitter and facebook too. See if they have a Wikipedia entry. The internet ruins any excuse you might have had for not knowing about their industry, their business and the competitive landscape.

Create a list of questions to ask during the interview. Some questions I suggest you have ready include:

* What obstacles will I need to overcome to be successful in this role?

* Could I schedule a time to speak to someone who is in a similar role?

* What are the key vendors that I will interact with?

* I found lots of information about competitors in this industry (list a few), but who are the ones we most often run into? (notice I said "we" painting a picture of me on this team. It might be presumptuous to lead with that but if you feel good about the conversation, consider it.)

* If they ask you to clarify an answer or go into more detail, feel free to ask them to clarify or add detail to something they answered.

Here are a two questions that you could ask to end the interview immediately. They might be polite, but if you ask these, the interview is over and you're toast:

1. So, what do you guys do here?

2. Tell me about your industry?

There are lots of websites dedicated to helping you come up with the questions you want to ask. Feel free to either print out your list or write them in the margins of your notepad. Some questions will get answered through the course of the interview without you asking. Cross it off your list and don't ask it if they already gave you the answer.

Right before you go in, have someone cued up to speak on the phone to remind you of how awesome you are. If you go in hat-in-hand begging for A JOB, any job! you aren't putting your best foot forward. Nothing stinks like a desperate salesman (and you are in sales selling YOU!)

Bring:

* At least a notepad, preferably a padfolio or something that you can keep everything in.

* A printed list of your references so you can be prepared. Even if they ask for it, you should only give those out if you are serious about going to work for that company. Feel free to say no if you have decided the company isn't a good fit.

* Two pens (at least) in case one quits or explodes on you.

* Several copies of your resume, in case you meet with more than one person.

How do you leave it?

Always thank them for their time and the opportunity to speak about the job. Ask them about how you should follow up. They will tell you they will get back to you and might even say they will get back to you by next Monday at the latest. If they say that or something even more vague, you should ask them if it would be OK to call if you don't hear from them by X - pick the day, I suggest three days after when they said they'd get back to you. This way you maintain some control and have gotten their permission for you to follow up.

How should you follow up?

Always send a hand written thank you note. If every job seeker sent thank you notes the way they SAY they send them, the USPS would be profitable. (rimshot!) You will differentiate yourself by sending a thank you note. Some say it's OK to send a typed out letter if your handwriting looks doctorish. Mention something that came up during the interview. Remind them of the kind of results you deliver . Make it specific to the job you want. Remind them that you are interested in this position.

I hope this is helpful. Live the Boy Scout motto and "Be Prepared"!

BHAD: Big Hairy Audacious Dare!

This message is written to those who participate in the job search ministries at FUMC in Tulsa, OK.

You have probably heard the term BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal) which is an almost too-big-to-believe goal. So I have a BHAD for you - a big, hairy, audacious dare.

THE DARE: Document your job search activities for the next month and share with the entire group via a weekly email what you have been doing, who you have been talking to, who you want to talk to, posts you've seen, articles you've read, jobs you have applied for, jobs you considered and didn't apply for, who you have met, how you followed up, the lessons you learned, the changes you make to your resume: everything.

Why?

The same reason we want you to tell us your story and take advantage of the launch pad. If I know (and by "I" I mean all 400+ people on our distribution list) know what you are doing for your job search and you show you are really hitting it hard, that makes it much more likely that I (and by "I" I mean all 400+ people on our distribution list) will know what you are doing, be more engaged with your personal search and may take the time to reach out and help you with contacts, your message, etc. You will be creating agents TO HELP YOU! You might also just encourage others who are stuck, feeling down, or otherwise not doing all they can to find a job.

So, will you take the dare? (Or are you yella?)

Post a comment if you'll take me up on this!

What's your Excuse?

WHAT’S YOUR EXCUSE FOR NOT PURSUING YOUR JOB SEARCH FULLY RIGHT NOW?


The economy?
The holidays?
Multi-level marketing?
Temporary work?
Counting on something you're working on to come through?
Other little lies?

Historically, hiring slows down from mid-November until February. People get busy, budgets are tight, etc. This year looks to be different according to lots of people. Even if that were not the case, the holidays are a time when people connect – they go to Christmas parties, they go to office parties, etc. People gather during the holidays. You should take that as a reminder to wash your hands often and to get your resume out in lots of hands. You need to be networking NOW to get in front of people who will go to parties, talk about work with others and be able to say “I know someone who can help you solve that problem.” I don’t want to sound petulant, but I’m stomping my foot when I say you need to ramp up your networking activities now, now, NOW!

What else are you doing to delay your job search? Let me tell you a story about what I did. My first layoff was in October of 2007, just on the front edge of the economy, employment was still good then. I made lots of mistakes, but got hired from a posting I found online. It took me six months. Then, four months later I was let go again due to product limitations. So 10 months in, I’m again on the hunt and my confidence is shot. I took an opportunity to dive into a startup in September, 2008 which will forever be remembered for the financial collapse. After 8 months of broken promises of equity, low sales and virtually no income, I walked away. That startup effort was my excuse.

This week, the excuses I’ve heard for not job searching are multi-level marketing, the holidays and focus on temporary employment (a degreed professional working at a holiday skating rink.) If you want to pursue MLM, do it on the side, but don’t pretend you can beat the odds and make a career out of it. Get your feet on the ground first.

For that matter, please don’t take a commission only sales job that requires your full attention to distract you from getting something reliable. This is the voice of experience talking.

Could you hit a homerun with commission-only sales or MLM? Perhaps. The great majority of people do not and it ends up being another speed bump in their road to gainful employment.

No one I know spends 8 hours a day on their job search, even if they have the time to do it. My admonition for you today: Press hard now.

Even if you think "that company" will certainly call any day, you have to keep pressing. Meet new people, explore new possibilities, plan for the possibility that one great thing you're hoping for may not come through.

My sincere desire – and that of our volunteer team – is that you will find not just a job but THE job that God has for you.

Psalm 40:5 "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak of them they would be too numerous to count."

I sincerely hope you are encouraged in your job search. I know of one man who came to OJT in October and was hired two days later (for a grand total of 8 days out of work!) Congratulations Steve H.

Also, several people who have been on the hunt for quite a while have been hired. Take Rod C. for example. Rod’s background is in supply chain (purchasing/procurement) and I take it as a good sign when guys like him and HR people start get back into the workforce. SO BE ENCOURAGED!! If you aren’t, know that I am optimistic FOR you based on what I am seeing.

Many of you have moved on, gotten hired or have already gotten what you need from OJT. That’s great! Please help us spread the word if you value this offering. I hope to see you at OJT this Tuesday night at 6:30pm at Asbury. Come in the NE side of the church (opposite Mingo). We meet in “The Family Room”.

Does your resume contain Perissology?

Perissology Noun – “Use of more words than are necessary; redundancy or superfluity of expression”

I saw this in one of those goofy posts people make on facebook but saw this word and immediately thought of resumes. It could also be applied to every other blog post I've ever made. ever. Ever.

So, keep it simple, Steve or Sue.

The end.

Board of Directors for your Job Search

Imagine: You are the CEO and you have an active, helpful, thoughtful board of directors without any other agenda other than helping YOU succeed in running the company.

Have a challenge with a certain department and need advice?
Take it to the board.
Could you benefit from some additional accountability in your sales efforts?
Ask the board to help you.
Need someone to pump you up before a big meeting?
Talk to the board.

For a company, a board of directors is in place to provide oversight for the senior management and to represent the best interests of the stockholders. Typical duties include:
· Establishing policies and objectives
· Review of the chief executive’s performance
· Ensuring the availability of adequate financial resources (this is true too on a non-profit board)
· Approving the budget
· Accounting to the various stakeholders for overall organizational performance

Now that you are on your job search working for YOU, Inc. why not recruit a board of directors to support and advise you?

Specifically, this board of directors can serve you in:
· Accountability – are you networking well, making calls (how many?), and putting in a full day’s work? Some job candidates may need this more than others.
· Networking Contacts – These should be people who will take a meeting with you every so often for you to practice and to get more contacts.
· Cheerleaders – Being on a job hunt is tough. Sometimes you don’t feel like you have much to offer a prospective employer. Before an interview, calling someone on your board and saying “OK, tell me how great I am” may be exactly what you need to be sure the first interview turns into a second which leads to a job offer. If you go in feeling down about your search you might approach the interview with hat-in-hand feeling like you NEED a job, which is a tougher position to be in. Remember: you have value for the right employer! Find people who will remind you of that when you need it!
· Review for resume changes – Serve as your primary sounding board to help you refine your message.
· Evaluation – Sometimes you get so focused on the tactical elements of job searching or doing the job of job hunting, that you can’t step back and look at your search from a strategic perspective. That kind of evaluation can help you identify problems and needed changes in:
o Focus – what kind of jobs are you pursuing? Are you a good fit for the jobs you are pursuing or is there a problem with the market for the jobs you are pursuing (too many candidates, not enough opportunities?)
o Clearly stating your value proposition – Don’t tell a job seeker you want “a job”; you have to tell them what kind of problem you can solve for them.
o Networking – are you out meeting new people? How can you improve there?
o Resume – maybe there is something on there that is limiting your ability to get a first interview.
o Computer skills – are you using LinkedIn and other online tools well? How can you improve?
o Interview skills – If you are getting a lot of first interviews, it means you are doing some other things well, but if it doesn’t yield second interview and eventually job offers, perhaps there is a problem? Your board can help you determine what that is.

How I would build a board of directors.
1. Evaluate my network to determine who are possible role players for my board of directors. Some of the things I would look for would be:
a. Ease of communication; if they’re on an oil platform somewhere, or very busy at work or home, you might consider someone else.
b. Variety of experience with you; Include some good friends, but try to incorporate a mentor or two or someone you admire, and people you have worked with first hand.
c. Pros; someone who has some relevant professional experience (HR person, Staffing person, Senior hiring manager, etc.)
2. Develop a plan on how you are going to “train” your board of directors. Maybe use this post to help draft a job description for your board. Just like you are going through, you need to clearly communicate what the job entails before someone can agree to serve you in that capacity. Write it out.
3. Ask them for 20 minutes in their office. If you haven’t yet done this, go have a networking meeting with them. A networking meeting is an opportunity for you to meet with someone to get input and advice about your job search. If the initial meeting goes well and you have identified them as a potential board member, ask them about serving.
4. Set clear parameters for checking in with them. Try to keep the responsibility for communication as your responsibility, but set guidelines about when you want them to contact you. If you aren’t doing what you know you are supposed to be doing, they will call. Depending on how many people serve on your board, you could have regular phone contact and less frequent in-person contact.
a. Check in with two different board members each week, so a board of four people would hear from you every other week, plus maybe a monthly meeting.
b. If you are needing increased accountability, get five board members that you check in at the end of each day with a different one, so you call Tammy on Mondays and Jim on Tuesdays, etc. to report on what you have been doing.
c. Obviously, the more frequent contact, the higher commitment required by the person you are asking to help you.
d. Maybe you are really working hard and making lots of personal connections. GREAT! You may need less accountability and more strategic support to evaluate your search. Build your board to help you where you need it.

You may have various people serving you in this capacity already; at the very least be deliberate about who is supporting you in your search. Surround yourself with good people who will support you. Train people who are willing to help you. Bless you in your search!

OPINIONS

Everyone has them. When you’re on a job hunt, you may likely be in position to receive them with great frequency. Input and advice from one person may tell you to do just the opposite thing that the last person told you to do. How do you deal with the press of conflicting input?

When President Clinton was in office, one of the knocks on him was that he was overly concerned with public opinion. My memory was that he had teams of people taking polls before he would commit to a position.

In your job search, you may be getting more input than you can handle. What do you do with so much advice intended to be helpful?

My simple answer is do what you think is right.

YOU are the one who is looking for the job.

YOU are the one who will be in the interview.

YOU are the product that is being “sold” here.

In my search, I found it helpful to get lots of input. My suggestion to you is to take all that input and evaluate it based on who is giving it but more importantly what fits with who you are. If you aren’t comfortable with a suggested rephrasing of something on your resume, don’t use it. You have to be at ease with your message.

One recruiter last week told me that everyone should have their LinkedIn profile on their resume to give an interested reader a source for more information and to communicate you are up to speed on the latest technology and trends of job search. Another told me that you only put it on there if you are concerned that someone might make a value judgment about your age. Still another says not to put your LinkedIn profile on a resume because they will find you there whether it’s on your resume or not. So what do you do?

Do what you think is right.

The decision to do nothing is a decision too, and that's probably not a good choice.

Pursing a job search WELL means putting yourself in positions where you’ll be uncomfortable because you have to reach out beyond people you know. You must be making calls and for most people, that is uncomfortable. However, the input and advice you receive has to be run through your own filters to ensure the message you are communicating to prospective employers and others is right for you.

Elevator Pitch: An essential tool

Everyone knows that a job seeker must have a well-written resume to be seriously considered for employment. Did you know there are a few other tools you need to have at hand with the same degree of preparedness to greatly improve your chances of finding THE right job?

I believe you need:
1. A concise statement you can use to describe what you do. My wife asked me this very question over the weekend: “When someone asks me, what should I tell them that you do, exactly?” My wife is a pharmacist for a large chain store. I answered, “Tell them I sell debt collection services.” When someone asks what you do or what kind of job you are looking for, what do you say? Of course, if you’re an accountant, an engineer, or an admin assistant, most people understand those jobs. The challenges come in when you have been an analyst of some flavor, or something like that which doesn’t lend itself to a simple explanation. This is what you’d tell someone you meet at a party or in an elevator when you only have a few seconds to pique their interest in learning more about you (More on this later.)

2. A Two minute drill to walk someone through your career in brief. Based on what I’ve learned from people smarter than me, I wrote out my two-minute drill with a step by step plan on how you can write about yours here. A Two minute drill isn’t what you’d tell someone in an elevator, really.

3. A written explanation of what you offer a prospective employer. This should be about 25 words (a little longer than a 140 character tweet.) At the First Methodist Employment Transition Group we use this to tell people we know about the candidates who are in the group.


YOUR CONCISE STATEMENT
This statement should go hand in hand with a well-written resume. My definition of a well-written resume includes:
· Specific accomplishments that you were responsible for at work
· Quantifiable results whenever possible
· More than just a list of job responsibilities – every should be able to understand what you were supposed to do. The question is how well did you do it and can you do that and other things well for another employer?

So let’s assume you have a well written resume in hand so now it’s just a matter of pulling a few of those things out to be able to speak them clearly.

Think of this like an article in a newspaper with several of the same elements:
· Headline: Tell them what you do.
· High level overview: Explain what you do and what specifically you bring to the table that is different from someone else they might consider.
· One or two specific examples or facts to back up your claim that you’re good at what you do.
· Call to action:
o Is this something you or someone you know might have an interest in discussing further?
o I am trying to connect with more people beyond those that I already know. Could I call your office to schedule 20 minutes with you to get your input and advice?

I hope this is helpful. OJT meets at Asbury at 6:30pm on the third Tuesday of the month.


We offer breakout sessions on:
Developing a strategic plan
Resumes
Networking: both contacts for you and some help with the “how to”
Using the internet well: One hour on LinkedIn and another on everything else
Interview practice
Spouse support group

Please share this information with others. If you have recently been hired – or been hired and forgot to let me know – please drop me a note. I’d love to know what made the difference for you!

A Reminder from Wyle E. Coyote About Job Search

I originally wrote this message on 4/15/10 as a reminder to my friends in Tulsa about an event we have at Asbury UMC called OJT (Overcoming Job Transition). This is a hands on workshop for job seekers. If you'd like information about this or would like to start something similar at your church, please let me know.

Good morning!

I hope you are making progress in your job search, meeting new people, expanding relationships and feeling encouraged by positive interviews, returned calls and new contacts. That’s my sincere hope.

This morning as my kids were eating breakfast, we had cartoons on. This episode featured the characters abusing each other on high places and tricking each other into running off the edge. For those of you not familiar with the laws of gravity & physics in cartoon world, a body continues to move forward on their intended path until they realize they have run out of ground to run upon. The cartoon character then has time to lament the impending fall as we can physically see the realization of doom grow, sometimes aided with a sign.

For those of you who are feeling defeated, questioning what you are doing, and starting to wonder where God is in your job search, this might be an apt description of your search. You’re going hard in the direction you thought you should, but you start to look around and realize there is no ground under your feet! Maybe the direction you were running wasn’t the right way. Maybe you need help laying out a new course. Maybe you’ve been trying to do this on your own.

I can’t promise you that you will soon be hired. I can’t even promise you that you will find the specific help and encouragement that you need at OJT. Confidently, however, I can tell you that is what OJT is built for and several people in the past few months at OJT have found new encouragement, direction and guidance they needed that helped them land a job.

We meet this Tuesday from 6:30pm until 9:00pm at Asbury United Methodist Church 6767 S. Mingo. From Mingo go to the opposite side of the church, park and go in the main entrance that doesn’t have a portico or awning. There is a statue and a “Celebrate Recovery” sign there. Bring a few copies of your resume, something to write with and on I believe you will find something of use in your search.

Our volunteer team is praying that each of you find not just A job, but THE job God has for you. From my job search experiences, and other experiences in life, I have come to the firm belief that God cares about what is happening in our lives and wants good things for me and you.

Please come check out OJT again. Maybe we can get you back on solid ground!

1 Peter 5:7, 10-11 says: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you; And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. to Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

TWELVE (or so) WEBSITES THAT WILL HELP YOUR JOB SEARCH:

1. ChooseTulsaJobs.com - This is a website of the Tulsa Chamber. There are jobs from many of Tulsa's largest employers here. It looks like this site is full of
REAL jobs vs the junk that sometimes comes from monster, career builder, etc.

2. NewGradLife.com - Even if you aren't a "new grad" there are some good videos here with helpful tips about interviewing, resumes, and lots of other resources.

3. WiseJobSeeker.com - This is a new website put together by Career Development Partners. Registration is free and there are tons of great resources here. Check it out!

4. Several Staffing Company Websites:
a. VintageServices.com - Kim A. has been a great blessing to our group and she'd be my FIRST phone call if I was starting up my job hunt tomorrow.
b. JKPCO.com - Jacobi Kelley has been another good supporter of our group and would be another that I would contact early in my search.
c. PartTimePros.net - Even if you aren't thinking about Part time, they may have a contract job you can do while you are looking or sometimes they have full time roles too. Apply online, I would.

5. AUMCJobBoard.com - Asbury UMC has a job board where members can post jobs. Nice resource & no junk!

6. LinkUp.com - Pulls direct from company sites - not pay-to-post job boards.
GO CHECK THIS OUT!

7. LinkedIn.com- I may have mentioned this once or twice. :) It's so much
more than just your lifelong connections!! If you have questions, ask me or come to OJT on Tuesday to learn more!

8. Hound.com – This is a new site that I found just this week. It looks like you register and it may be a free trial for a few months at first. This may be a good resource. I’ve read on LinkedIn where several people seem to like it.

9. Indeed.com – This should be listed higher, but is a great resource as it pulls from LOTS of job boards. Check out the tools too because you can setup alerts to be emailed to you.

10. http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/Tulsa_Employment_Ministries/message/116 - This is our little corner of the internet. We post all kinds of good things here and this is a place where you can post your resume, ask for advice, prayer, specific contacts, anything! Join us! It’s free, all you need is a Yahoo ID.

11. AvidCareerist.com – This is a new favorite of mine. This lady posts all kinds of articles and often seeks input from other experts via LinkedIn. She has posted some great ideas like making the coffee shop nearest your most promising local prospective employer your job search headquarters several mornings per week. Tons of good input about job search.

12. Dangerruss1970.blogspot.com – My blog. I’ve tried to capture many of my favorite ideas, things I’ve learned along the way and put them all here in one handy place!

These are the best tools I have found to suggest for the online portion of your job search, but most jobs come from networking – building relationships and connecting with people. I hope connecting with other humans is a key component in your search. If you don’t know how to do that, or aren’t doing that well today, we have a session about how to do that at OJT!

ALSO, DON’T FORGET:

FUMC Brown Bag Lunch – If you haven’t been yet, you really should come check this out! We meet on Thursdays from 11-1pm at First Methodist in downtown Tulsa. It was a great blessing to me in my search last year and continues to be a blessing to many others. If you’re working and can only get away for an hour – just come from noon – 1pm. FUMC is at 1119 S. Boulder, they have a parking lot on the west side of Boulder, go across the crosswalk, into the building, down the stairs to your right, and we are to your right.

Blessings to you on your job search!

Make the call! Networking your way to THE next job.

Make The Call!

Happy rainy Friday! I hope your job search has been prettier than the weather this week.

If you’re feeling stuck in your search, it is likely because you haven’t yet gotten in front of the right people. It’s easier to identify this problem than to solve it, right? You might be new to town or feel like you don’t have many of the “right” contacts. I want to encourage you today to pick up the phone and start calling people you know, asking for time with them. Make the call!

No matter where you are in your search, connecting with people – a/k/a networking is a key part of most successful searches. Learning how to grow your network well now during this search should serve you well throughout your career. Hopefully going through this exercise will help spur some new activity and movement in your job search!

STEP ONE
Make a list of everyone you know who would take your call. It doesn’t matter how you know them or where they are located. You will likely start with a healthy list and then continue to add as you remember others you should call. My friends at Coldwell Banker call the various compartments of your life “Circles of influence”. See if this list helps jog your memory of people you should put on your list:
· Former co-workers from all previous jobs
· Former supervisors
· Former classmates
· People you go to church with
· Neighbors
· People with whom you served on boards, committees or other volunteer capacity
· Parents of your kids’ friends
· Kids’ friends (if they’re old enough)
· Professionals you use: Doctor, dentist, accountant, attorney, banker, investment person, etc.
· Others you come in contact with: Postman, pizza delivery guy, mechanic, dry cleaner, etc.
· The bottom line is: don’t discount anyone and assume that just because they are ________, they can’t be of good assistance.

STEP TWO
Make the call! Most of your productive time during the day should be dedicated to reaching out via phone to schedule in-person appointments. If you’re spending most of your time surfing online job boards, my feeling is you aren’t being as effective as you could be. You want to be connecting in person with people. So start with your list – the people you know.

Call and ask for 20 minutes (no more than 30 minutes) in their office. You are NOT asking these people for a job. You want to meet with them to get their input and advice about your job search. Now, if they suddenly realize you are the solution to the problem they have and want to turn your meeting into an interview, you won’t object. Chances are, if they had a job for you, you would already know about it.

You need to be in charge of this meeting, starting with the initial call. They may try to avoid meeting with you because they can’t hire you. Put them at ease by saying “I want to meet with you to get your input and advice about my job search, I am not expecting you to have a job for me.”

If they’re really busy at work your response should be “No problem! I’m not interested in wasting your time. I don’t need to do this immediately, but I value your counsel. Could you possibly give me 20 minutes in a few weeks?” Get the meeting scheduled. The less you know the person the more likely they will try to object to giving you the time. You might also say something like “Would you be willing to invest 20 minutes to give me some feedback about my search?” I really like the word invest, because you are giving them an opportunity to help you and to dispense advise and maybe even expertise. Everyone likes to give advice (see this email as exhibit A!)

STEP THREE
Meeting & managing the time. As I mentioned earlier, I encourage you to “run” the meeting. Chances are, whomever you are meeting with is expecting you to ask them for something more than what you said you wanted. Your endgame goal for this meeting is twofold: (1) Grow the relationship and (2) Two or more contacts or introductions.

Here is my proposed time budget for a networking meeting:
00-03: catch up, discussing mutual friends, ice-breaking.
03-04: State your purpose; “I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me. I’m looking for your input and advice about my search and maybe even some ideas of other people I could talk with. Maybe it would help if I gave you a quick rundown of my career and what I do for a prospective employer?” That sounds great!
04-06: Your well rehearsed, two minute drill.
07-08: Set them up to talk: “Can you think of anyone who might have a need for someone like me or have an interest in connecting with me?” Then shut up. Let them talk. Awkward silence is OK, but hopefully your two minute drill sparked ideas of people they know to send you to.
08-16: Here you have to do some guiding to keep them on track thinking about their contacts. Take good notes.
17-19: Ask if they would be willing to call those contacts and introduce you telling the person that you will be calling in the next few days.
19-20: Thank them for their time and ask if you can periodically update them on your job search? Even if they encourage you to stay, get out! Why? You want them to feel comfortable taking a follow up meeting with you later and also feel good sending you to their friends. If they know you will honor your word where you asked for 20 minutes and respect their time, they will likely be more free sending you to other people they know.

STEP FOUR
After the meeting. Out in the parking lot, finish your notes. Maybe you didn’t write down everything. Capture that before you leave that office. Critique yourself. What would you do differently next time? Did the meeting with them spark an idea of someone else to call that they didn’t mention? Write it down now.
Follow up. Everyone says they send thank you notes, far fewer actually do it. Write a hand written thank you note. If you’re handwriting looks like Sandskrit or you could have gone to medical school, it’s OK to type it out, but mail it. Anyone can email. Stand out – be different.

Keep good records. If you met with Russ Knight on May 14th, note how you met me, my contact information and anything useful I said, and anyone I suggested you speak with. You can track this via a spreadsheet but a notebook can work too because it will also serve as a physical encouragement when you don’t feel like you have much going on in your search. You will be able to thumb through the notebook looking back at the contacts you have deepened or developed new.

I hope this is of good use to you. Start now so people you can start asking people you see at church on Sunday if you could call to schedule a meeting with them. If you dedicate yourself to connecting with people you will grow relationships far beyond those you know now.

God has something for you in this. For me, my two layoffs within a year and subsequent time with the startup company were difficult, confidence shattering experiences. But God brought me to the right place and revealed His purpose for me to attempt to help others going through job loss. I believe God has a plan for you too.

I pray that those who might benefit from OJT will be there this Tuesday at Asbury UMC in Tulsa. Blessings to you in your search!

Don't Say "Objective"

Objective says "this is what I want out of a job". If you have an Objective statement at the top of your resume, consider changing the word objective to "Professional Overview" or "Professional Summary" but at the same time will will likely need to scrap the statement too.

Most resumes I have seen are pretty self centered documents. It is a sales tool of course selling YOU, but the resume needs to be focused to the best of your ability on the prospective employer.

A good summary statement answers the question: "What kind of problem can I solve for a prospective employer" or "what unique skills and abilities differentiate me from other similar people a prospective employer might consider?"

My point is this issue is more than just nuance and phrasing. You want to speak to employers.

"Here is what I can do for you" trumps "here is what I want" every time.

Recently, I have heard several staffing people and others say, "No, an objective is good because I want to know what this person wants." Maybe this is true, but I'd rather err on the side of a prospective employer having a very clear picture about what I can do for their organization and how I fit and force the few who want to know "what does this person really want out of job?"

The real estate at the top of a resume is the best chance you have to hook someone into reading further. If you fail to speak to your audience, why would they want to keep reading?

Churches Join in Job Hunt

Churches Join in Job Hunt
New ministries have arisen across Tulsa
By Bill Sherman, Tulsa World Religion Reporter
Originally Published 4/4/10 (Easter Sunday)

Wayne Buck was in the hot seat Thursday.

Sitting alone in a chair surrounded by 50 people at First United Methodist Church downtown, he fielded a battery of questions about his resume, his career goals, his networking skills.

"You need to get a different resume right away," one person said.

"Have you networked through your friends and neighbors?" another asked.

Buck, 61, has been out of work for 11 months.

He has many years of accounting and finance experience in the oil and gas industry. He took early retirement seven years ago from Williams Cos. after 28 years there and was laid off last year from SourceGas in Denver.

He is hopeful that he will soon be back to work.

"The economy seems like it's picking up," he said. "There's some hope out there. I've got a good five or 10 more years of work left in me."

Buck is one of hundreds of unemployed men and women who are getting advice, encouragement and job leads through a variety of jobs ministries at Tulsa churches.

The Employment Transition Ministry at First United Methodist Church started April 1, 2009, as more church members were losing their jobs in the recession.

Kathleen Lee, who has been volunteering with the ministry from the beginning, said 252 people have come through the program, and 25 percent to 27 percent of them have found jobs. More than 50 people attend the weekly meetings, nearly all of them job seekers.

During the first hour — dubbed the hot seat — individuals take about 15 minutes to explain their job situation and what they've done to find work. Seated in a horseshoe configuration around them, other participants offer advice on how to improve their resumes or networking skills, possible leads they should explore and job openings they have heard about.
Humiliation
During the second hour, speakers and group discussions address job issues.

On Thursday, life coach Dave Jewitt described the humiliation, after losing an executive job, of handing a job application to a man at a pizza place who had no front teeth.

"Something in me broke," said Jewitt, who now runs YourOneDegree ministry.

"And I was no good at delivering pizzas. At 50, I couldn't see the street signs at night."

"Don't waste that pain," he told job seekers. "I believe God wants to use that pain" to redirect lives.

Berry Miller, who directs the First Methodist program, knows firsthand the pain of being unemployed.

He left a good job to go into business for himself, and when that failed, he was out of work off and on for nine months.

"We had four kids. It was a high-stress time," he said.

"It was a really empty, lonely feeling. I learned that I needed to get out of my shell and get out of the house and talk to people."

Experts say people who lose jobs often go through a grieving process that includes denial and anger, he said.

"I've been on both sides of this. I felt compelled to help others."

The First Methodist program is a "wonderful example of hurting people helping hurting people," he said.
Roller coaster
Jim Choate and his wife, Diane, run the Church at Battle Creek's Job Assistance Ministry.

"We know what it feels like. We both lost jobs at the same time," Diane Choate said.

"Our heart is to help a lot more people than just the folks at Battle Creek. About half are from outside of the church," she said.

Jim Choate said every volunteer in the program has suffered a job loss at some time.

"It's an emotional roller coaster when you lose your income," he said.

"You go through a whole cycle of things — frustration, depression.

"We tell people that's normal, but the sooner you get through it the better. And it's best to work through it before you begin the interview process."

The program at Battle Creek meets twice a month.

Information is available on how to file for unemployment and food stamps, how to talk to creditors and how to start the job search. Jobs from local employers are posted.

Sessions are held on career assessment and strategic planning, resume writing, networking and interviewing.

Each job seeker is assigned to a volunteer "champion" who contacts them and offers encouragement.

"Fighting discouragement is an issue. It's about keeping your spirits up," Jim Choate said.

"The hardest part is having patience. These things just don't happen as fast as you want.

"The most important part of your job search is to invite God in to help you. He'll close doors on wrong opportunities and open other doors."
Biggest mistake
Asbury United Methodist Church began its Overcoming Job Transitions ministry six months ago in response to the recession.

"We thought people needed help," said Russ Knight, who directs the program.

"I've been through two layoffs," he said. "I've made a lot of mistakes in job hunting. I've become a student of this."

The biggest mistake people make, he said, is failing to utilize people they know.

"As a job seeker, you need to know how to guide your friends, show them how they can help you."
Social media
Kari Mirabal, a career consultant and information technology recruiter, heads the jobs program at First Christian Church, Owasso.

She conducted jobs seminars in January, February and March at the church, and she will resume after summer.

"People are going more to social media for career transition," she said.

"It's an amazing tool; 70 percent of all companies look at LinkedIn for candidates. It's free and easily accessible.

"What we do is we educate, teach how to leverage these tools. The tools have changed. The paper resume is a thing of the past. Things are evolving."

LinkedIn is a networking Web site used by more than 60 million professionals to exchange ideas and opportunities.

"It's who you know and what they can do for you," Mirabal said.
Job fair
Victory Christian Center has a full-time coordinator of its jobs ministry.

Jon Bornert said the ministry has helped 90 people find jobs since its job fair in January 2009.

He is expecting more than 30 employers at Victory's job fair next Friday.

Ministry workers also man a table at each church service to talk to people needing help.

"More and more churches are starting to awaken to the fact that a person's job is a big part of their lives," Bornert said.

"Being out of work can cause marital and family problems. If transportation goes by the wayside, it can be very difficult to continue," he said. Bankruptcy can result.

Guts Church held its first job fair Friday as part of its Servolution program, with employers' booths, interview rooms and classes on job-seeking skills.


Job ministries
Employment Transition Ministry

11 a.m.-1 p.m. each Thursday

First United Methodist Church

1115 S. Boulder Ave.

Job Assistance Ministry

6:30 p.m. second and third Sunday of each month

Church at Battle Creek

3025 North Aspen Ave., Broken Arrow

Overcoming Job Transitions

6:30-9 p.m. third Tuesday of each month

Asbury United Methodist Church

6767 S. Mingo Road

Job fair

12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday

Third floor, New Creation building

Victory Christian Church

7700 S. Lewis Ave.

Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100404_18_A1_RyanFr476078&archive=yes

Good email habits

As a job seeker, you need to constantly be aware of your target audience and seeking ways to make it easier for them to contact you. Let's face it, we all know there are about a million reasons for them NOT to contact you!

1. Always include your contact information in the body of an email, even with replies. Don't make anyone hesitate to contact you. It's a good habit and is one of those details that might make the difference to get you a callback.

2. Stay away from those goofy backgrounds. I got an email the other day from a man with some floral design background.

3. Be a replier. Even in personal circles, so many people do not respond to emails even when begged to do so. Respond...promptly.

4. When attaching a resume, stick with .doc formats. A recruiter might want to delete something in your resume before sending it to a client (to help both of you!) but they can't with a .pdf. Also, .docx isn't common enough yet. In case you get a .docx file (which is just from the MS Word 2007 version) and need to open it, you can download Open Office at www.openoffice.org for free.

5. Use a cover letter unless directed specifically not to do that. Pick out something from the job description and speak to how you specifically fit that.

6. Avoid telling someone you are a good communicator...BE a good communicator! I've seen poor sentences and strange statements on resumes where someone claims to be a good communicator. Better to not say it and let your words (you know.)