By Zebriod (c) 2008
(planning to find a new job)
If it has not happened to you yet, it happens more and more often, the work disappears and you need to find a new job. When this happens the first thing you need is a plan, a plan to land a new job. It is always easier to land a new job when you have a job, but you don’t have the time and that is not the situation I intend to cover here.
The plan needs to be more than finding a recruiter and sitting back. You need to be in control of your search, a recruiter can only help if they have the right client. In this market a recruiter will actually have no jobs either. You are more likely to land a job yourself.
Step 1. Ground work
Get you paperwork in order:
1a. Review your resume (See my article on writing your resume)
- Your resume is a "MARKETING DOCUMENT" not a history book!!
1b. Review all your accomplishments – write them up, no one is going to hire you because you need a job, they will only hire you if you bring something they need (See my article on accomplishments)
- You will only be hired if you solve "THEIR" problems and bring benefit!
1c. Make a personal marketing statement (see creating your elevator pitch)
- You will need to pick up the phone and call people yourself! DONT USE EMAIL! plan what you will say when you get someone on the phone, don't make it up on the phone. "One sentence to summarize your career, one major accomplishment, why you are looking" - all in 20 seconds.
1d. Get copies of transcripts – many companies require these if you have post grad education.
1e. Prepare your references – this is very important, networking can land you the job you need. Call everyone you know and ask them if they would be willing to provide you a professional reference if needed – don’t be proud.
Step 2. How to stay in control.
Make sure all recruiters have your permission directly from you prior to submitting your resume to any employer. Recruiters have a natural incentive to send your resume to as many companies as possible, just in case you get hired. Normally they can claim a fee if you go to work for any of these within a year of submitting your resume.
Create a spreadsheet of possible companies. Use the internet to research companies in your location or in your sector
Number Co Name Website Co Contact Call date Recruiter Date sent Notes--->
Only self submit through the website as a last resort. Try to place a call into the company, use you marketing pitch and attempt to get someone in the company to get you in. If you submit through the website will be joining hundreds of “chef s and chauffeurs” and as a result your resume will first be read by a machine, so make sure you have as many “key words” as possible.
Step 3. Network
USE THE PHONE!!! not email! email does not work - see 1c above, practice practice......
Most mid career job changes are a result of “networking” not recruiters, it is expensive for companies to find quality staff and as a result networking has a distinct advantage over using a recruiter. It maybe difficult to call previous colleagues and admit that you are searching for a new job, but it has to be done. Call them all, make sure you are prepared to market yourself even when you think they know you. Use an indirect approach “Do you know anyone that is hiring”, “Do you have anyone over at xyz company that I can call?”.
This is difficult, but do it. Finding the next job is a full time job.
Step 4. Be prepared
The first step is to get an interview, but an interview is not the end, just the end of the beginning. Be prepared to interview well.
Try to be nice and well mannered at all times.
(planning to find a new job)
If it has not happened to you yet, it happens more and more often, the work disappears and you need to find a new job. When this happens the first thing you need is a plan, a plan to land a new job. It is always easier to land a new job when you have a job, but you don’t have the time and that is not the situation I intend to cover here.
The plan needs to be more than finding a recruiter and sitting back. You need to be in control of your search, a recruiter can only help if they have the right client. In this market a recruiter will actually have no jobs either. You are more likely to land a job yourself.
Step 1. Ground work
Get you paperwork in order:
1a. Review your resume (See my article on writing your resume)
- Your resume is a "MARKETING DOCUMENT" not a history book!!
1b. Review all your accomplishments – write them up, no one is going to hire you because you need a job, they will only hire you if you bring something they need (See my article on accomplishments)
- You will only be hired if you solve "THEIR" problems and bring benefit!
1c. Make a personal marketing statement (see creating your elevator pitch)
- You will need to pick up the phone and call people yourself! DONT USE EMAIL! plan what you will say when you get someone on the phone, don't make it up on the phone. "One sentence to summarize your career, one major accomplishment, why you are looking" - all in 20 seconds.
1d. Get copies of transcripts – many companies require these if you have post grad education.
1e. Prepare your references – this is very important, networking can land you the job you need. Call everyone you know and ask them if they would be willing to provide you a professional reference if needed – don’t be proud.
Step 2. How to stay in control.
Make sure all recruiters have your permission directly from you prior to submitting your resume to any employer. Recruiters have a natural incentive to send your resume to as many companies as possible, just in case you get hired. Normally they can claim a fee if you go to work for any of these within a year of submitting your resume.
Create a spreadsheet of possible companies. Use the internet to research companies in your location or in your sector
Number Co Name Website Co Contact Call date Recruiter Date sent Notes--->
Only self submit through the website as a last resort. Try to place a call into the company, use you marketing pitch and attempt to get someone in the company to get you in. If you submit through the website will be joining hundreds of “chef s and chauffeurs” and as a result your resume will first be read by a machine, so make sure you have as many “key words” as possible.
Step 3. Network
USE THE PHONE!!! not email! email does not work - see 1c above, practice practice......
Most mid career job changes are a result of “networking” not recruiters, it is expensive for companies to find quality staff and as a result networking has a distinct advantage over using a recruiter. It maybe difficult to call previous colleagues and admit that you are searching for a new job, but it has to be done. Call them all, make sure you are prepared to market yourself even when you think they know you. Use an indirect approach “Do you know anyone that is hiring”, “Do you have anyone over at xyz company that I can call?”.
This is difficult, but do it. Finding the next job is a full time job.
Step 4. Be prepared
The first step is to get an interview, but an interview is not the end, just the end of the beginning. Be prepared to interview well.
Try to be nice and well mannered at all times.
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