Jobs in Today's Economy

Jobs in Today's Economy - The Hunt

     In this past decade, finding a job has become more difficult than ever before as more and more people are underemployed or unemployed, workers are not retiring, and companies have never been more stringent in the application and screening process.

      However, putting yourself out in the market had never been easier with sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Google+ allowing employers to see who you are outside the confines of a résumé, cover letter, or interview. Social media offers job seekers the opportunity to learn about companies they’re interested in, connect with current and former employees and hear about job openings.  Today, approximately half of all job seekers are on social networking sites on a daily basis, and more than a third of all employers use these sites in their hiring process.

Quick Takeaway: If you're not using social media to find a job, you should seriously consider it.

     Quick tips that I've learned from my job hunt: Show your skills, don't just talk about them. Do this by a asking for a project or bringing in some of your past work. Over the course of 7 months, out of 227 applications and 19 interviews, and several job offers, the best deal on the table for myself came from a project based interview. Secondly, be confident in yourself. Do not over or under sell yourself but show that you are heavily interested in the potential opportunity. Do this by learning all you can about the company and related information. Finally, if you are feeling adventurous, give making a video résumé a try:

Here are 6 skills that just about every jobs needs at some point:

1) Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

2) Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

3) Judgment and Decision-Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate ones.

4) Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate and not interrupting.

5) Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, electronic equipment and computer hardware including applications and programs.

6) Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics and their application.

     Skills are the main driver or retaining your position. My old accounting teacher used to say, "fake it 'til you make it", however it is an imperative that you do not fake or make up something on your résumé. It is grounds for not only being fired but potential legal action could be levied against you as well, which could permanently damage your ability to attain employment. 

     I'll leave you with one last major piece of information that is critical to your job search. Do not go for 6-months without some kind of work or life experience to show for that time period. Unless your credentials are amazing or you have a recommendation from someone at the company, HR will not touch you with a 10-ft pole. If you don't believe me check out this article.

Their words, not mine: "It turns out long-term unemployment is much scarier than you could possibly imagine."

Good luck with your job hunt and if you need a push in the right direction, don't hesitate to ask.

Bonus: Interview Tips

4 Sections that I make for every Interview: (cheat sheet)
- Questions to Ask
- Talking Points
- Why I Want to Work for that Company
- Why I am a Great Fit for the Job

 Questions you should ask in an interview:

• How would you describe the company’s culture and leadership philosophy?
• Can you please show me some examples of projects that I’d be working on?
• What is the single largest problem facing your staff, and would I be in a position to help you solve this problem?
• What specific qualities and skills are you looking for in the job candidate?
• Is this a new position, or did someone leave? If someone left, why did they leave or what did they go on to do?
• What is the typical career trajectory for a person in this position?
• What would you say are the three most important skills needed to excel in this position?
• Who would be my manager, and will I have the opportunity to meet him or her?
• Why do you like working here?
• What does a typical day or week look like for the person in this position?  Is there travel, flextime, etc?
• How do you see this position contributing to the success of the organization?
• What do you think distinguishes this company from its competitors, both from a public and employee perspective?
• Does the company offer continued education and professional training?
• How can I best contribute to the department?
• What particular achievements would equate to success at this job? What would success look like?
• Are you most interested in a candidate who works independently, on a team, cross-functionally, or through a combination of them all? Can you give me an example?
• What is your ideal communication style with your staff? Do you meet regularly with your team, rely heavily on e-mail, use status reports or work primarily through other means?
• How do you see me as a candidate for the job in comparison with an ideal candidate?
• Do you have any concerns about me or about my qualifications that may prevent you from selecting me for the job?
• What is the next step? When do you think you will be making a decision?

Questions to avoid in an interview:

• Never ask for information you could have easily found with a quick Google search.
• Never ask if you can change the job details, the schedule, or the salary.
• Never ask many questions about the interviewer’s background.
• Never ask about pay, time off, benefits, etc. (Wait until later in the process to inquire about these things.)
• Never ask “What does your company do?”
• Never ask “If I’m hired, when can I start applying for other positions in the company?”
• Never ask how quickly you can be promoted.
• Never ask “Do you do background checks?”
• Never ask about gossip you’ve heard.
• Never ask if the company monitors e-mail or Internet usage.