Woman Around Town’s Editor Charlene Giannetti and writers for the website talk with the women and men making news in New York, Washington, D.C., and other cities around the world. Thanks to Ian Herman for his wonderful piano introduction.
All set for that job interview? Of course you are. Before that happens, you may have to manage correspondence, specifically emails, from potential employers. There will probably be some surprises along the way, so let’s get to work.
Why am I spending so much time talking about how to respond to an email? Because I want you to pause before you hit that “send” button. There’s a fine line between being smart about something and over-thinking it. Often your own instincts can separate you from the crowd.
Here’s what to know: There are two things happening in the hiring process these days that are relatively new or at least new to new job seekers. The first is the various ways a response may come from a potential employer. The second is the express lane version of HR, the proliferation of phone “pre-interviews.” But first things first—let’s talk about the ways to respond to a potential employer.
Assuming you’ve sent your cover email and resume to all of the great opportunities out there on the WAT Ultimate Job Board Resource List, you may see a day or even a few weeks go by before hearing from anyone. If they are interested, you will receive a response eventually and I applaud those with the persistence to call and inquire if they have not heard. On the other hand I would not suggest sending more than one follow up email. In some industries and at certain executive levels, the response to your job inquiry will prompt a phone call, while in other businesses, you will be contacted by email.
A word about email responses from employers would have to touch on the various scams out there. It’s part of the process unfortunately, and really no way to avoid being a target. There are times when your resume will trigger a computer-generated response that you should definitely not respond to. Here are the signs that something about a potential employer’s response is fishy:
If you see an unusually long response—sometimes as much as three or more paragraphs—that makes no reference to anything from your resume, it’s spam so don’t answer it.
If it tells you that there is a “main office in the UK or Europe” and this will be their attempt to “establish a location in the U.S.,” then beware this, always.
If it asks you to give them your name, address and social security number and…yes that’s right I said your SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. Click spam immediately and delete it from your computer. This type of spam won’t hurt your computer but never respond to it. As I said before, never give out your social security number in an online job application.
The legitimate email you should receive will ask you to clarify something from your resume or schedule a time for a phone interview. You’ve already impressed them so keep it simple, and try something like this:
Dear Ms. Cunningham,
Thank you for taking the time to review my resume.
I will be available to take your call today/tomorrow at any time between 1-5pm. You may reach me at 212-555-1234.
Thank you,
You
Hopefully, during that phone call, you will be asked to come in and meet someone from HR, but just as likely these days you may have to do a mini-interview over the phone first. Next week we will sharpen our phone interview skills just in case.
Jason Veduccio is a hard-working entrepreneur following his dreams, and he wants you to dream, too. Drawing on his experiences working with companies on marketing, technology, hiring, and workplace issues, his regular column will demystify the job search process and identify strategies for moving up the corporate ladder. Founder of In1Concepts, Jason also knows the ins and outs of launching a new business. He welcomes your questions and can be reached at jason@in1concepts.com.
Whether you are seeking a new job or contemplating a job change, Jason Veduccio’s The New American Dreamer, How to Land That Ideal Job in a Nightmare Economy (WAT-AGE Publishing), can be your game changer. Veduccio’s book lays out the steps you need to take that are easy to follow and can keep you on track to reach your goal in a timely manner.
As he puts it, “Wherever you are in your career you need to be in a constant state of growing.” One of the most important points he makes is that all of us need to find our “compass.” And by that he means you need to focus on where you are in your career, where you are going in your career, and what makes you happy in your career.
He poses a series of questions to help the job seeker think about what he or she is looking for in a new role. The book also outlines some standard techniques and practices to use when searching for a job.
Jason does a good job of organizing and outlining key topics. For example, the section in the book on spotting job leads is particularly useful. And because they are useful, I’ve outlined them below from his book:
Network, network, and then network some more (Important statistic here: according to Jason, 80% of jobs are never posted.)
Join trade groups and other affiliated groups
Talk to college and alumni groups
Attend Job Fairs
Meet with Recruiters
Jason also emphasizes a point often overlooked: the importance of cover letters in the job search. Cover letters are a great way to synthesize one’s resume, outline one’s goals and thank the prospective employer for their consideration of the job seeker’s candidacy.
In a challenging economic environment — where the unemployment rate doesn’t fully capture the level of job seekers coupled with the massive underemployment in our economy — The New American Dreamer does a good job of summarizing the tried and true practices that can be helpful to anyone seeking his or her next “dream” role. Good Luck!
Of all the things you need to get a job, in many cases the most debatable and argued over piece may be the cover letter. I have talked to many hiring managers who tell me that they don’t even read them and yet on the other hand they tell me if there isn’t one attached, they might not even look at the resume. Sound a bit crazy? Don’t answer that – let’s just keep moving.
Writing a successful cover letter is perhaps the most difficult part of the application process, and the most valuable. It can and will represent you to that employer until you are able to do so in person because this is the part of the process where your attempts to impress are often clues to your candidacy.
Obviously we could talk at length on the best way to construct a cover letter but in our case let’s focus on a particular type: a short cover email that you use to apply to online jobs. There are many ways in which this differs from a hard copy format and so for the moment don’t try and adapt your cover letters to a cover email, start fresh.
Remember, these hiring managers are in some cases seeing literally hundreds of emails so rule number one is keep it short.
I suggest breaking it into three small parts: the introductory section, the “why you think you’re right” section and the “thank you and contact me section.” When I say “section” I mean one or two sentences tops.
Here is a VERY basic sample:
Dear Mrs. Smith, (Always try and get a name to address your emails or letters to – Street Tip! Try using www.Hoovers.com to find out to whom you are writing to!)
I am submitting my resume for consideration for the position of beekeeper.
My skills as a professional beekeeper have won me various awards from Ohio to Florida and I have never been stung.
My resume is attached along with samples of honey. Please contact me at this email or at 555-1234 to set up a meeting.
Sincerely,
You
OK so I wrote this with a hint of humor hoping that no one actually copies this for use, but instead sees this as an opportunity to be brief and informative. Lastly you want to slightly customize every single email cover to match the job posting. Say something specific that will separate you from the rest but keep it professional and pertinent to the job description.
If you are looking for certain jobs such as graphic designer, architect, copywriter or a job that specifically requests samples, then take your best work and make them into PDF’s as I showed you how to do in this story. If you have samples you probably know how best to create them for use but if needed look to peers or industry specific blogs for ways in which to put your samples in the best layout possible.
Now let’s get ready because it’s about that time. It’s time for you to reach out and impress someone.
Here’s your assignment for next week: pick out an interview outfit and visualize yourself sitting in a chair in that outfit impressing the heck out of someone who is looking for a great employee. Do this once a day until we meet again and you will be more ready than even you know.
Jason Veduccio is a hard-working entrepreneur following his dreams, and he wants you to dream, too. Drawing on his experiences working with companies on marketing, technology, hiring, and workplace issues, his regular column will demystify the job search process and identify strategies for moving up the corporate ladder. Founder of In1Concepts, Jason also knows the ins and outs of launching a new business. He welcomes your questions and can be reached at jason@in1concepts.com.
Charlene Giannetti, the co-founder and editor of Woman Around Town, today announces the launch of a new book publishing venture, WAT-AGE Publishing, to work with authors whose goal is not just to publish a book, but to publish a book that is well written and edited. Giannetti, the recipient of six New York Press Club Awards for Journalism Excellence, and the author of 12 books, will work with authors to ensure a quality product. After publication, the author will be featured on the award-winning website, Woman Around Town, as well as having the book reviewed.
“I love books and have watched the transformation of the marketplace with interest,” Giannetti said. “While people look at the demise of major book sellers like Borders as an indication that books are no longer popular, what I see is that books are being published and read in different ways. We read with our electronic devices and many authors are bypassing mainstream publishers to self-publish. The rigorous editing process that exists (or, at least, used to exist) at major publishers is left out.”
Giannetti said that she hopes to make a difference with WAT-AGE Publishing. “Woman Around Town is all about good writing,” she said. “That’s what I hope to bring to book publishing, quality writing that will engage the reader and register sales.”
Jason Veduccio, whose first book, The New American Dreamer: How to Land That Dream Job in a Nightmare Economy, was just published by WAT-AGE, had this to say about his experience: “You will love working with WAT-AGE. You can stay involved while taking advantage of the professional guidance that will make your book a professional product.”
At this point we hopefully have a bird’s eye view of the current hiring landscape (see our previous story on job boards) where we see companies at every level utilizing the Internet to find many of their new hires. Understand that this means employers have more control over who sees these job postings simply by where they choose to post them.
Like true love, a great job can and usually does emerge instead of being discovered. Great jobs are not always so great until someone gets into the position and steers it to its potential. So keep this openness of mind when you hit the job boards online but to be safe, and this means minimizing spam to avoiding common scams, let’s touch on a few thoughts:
Take your mailing address off of your resume, save for the city and state. There is no need for the masses to have access to the address where you live, if someone is a serious employer they can call or ask and you can provide proof of residency but in general, why have it floating around unnecessarily? All that an employer needs is your name, phone number, email address, city and state. Do not forget these.
Always send a PDF or JPG never a WORD document to an employer, unless specified to do so. This won’t stop anyone from using your information but it is harder to copy and paste something from your resume or to change a PDF document at all, so they might be likely to move on to the next one. It’s kind of like having a loud barking dog in your house that does next to nothing – but it might send the bad guys elsewhere.
Never, ever give your social security number out to anyone you do not know and this would include all of your potential employers in an online application. If it asks, then leave it blank. If you’re applying for that dream job at the most prestigious firm ever then I would simply pick up the phone and verify that the site you are about to send your social security number to is actually their site. Point being – they shouldn’t even be asking until you meet face to face.
Here we go. Turn off the news reports and think positive. Here is a list of job boards to start. This list is a resource that you can return to every day you search. Some of these are major job boards that show as many jobs as possible, some are more targeted towards a niche and some are simply support systems for people looking. Next week we will discuss the lost practice of writing a good cover letter.
The Ultimate WAT Job Board Resource List
These are many of the top sites in order in terms of monthly traffic in 2012. Click on the name to go to the site:
Monster Very large, a good site to look at but many higher level position-seekers feel its time has passed.
Careerbuilder Similar to Monster – both are good places to set up and gather alerts on for those positions that match your skill set.
Indeed A good place to start. It’s easy and pulls from many sites on this list so it might be one of the best here.
SimplyHired This site is very similar to Indeed, but with half the monthly traffic.
AOL Believe it or not AOL is seen as something from “the olden days” to anyone 40 and under.
SnagAJob Primarily a niche site used by employers of hourly workforces.
USAJobs This site created by the Federal government is great for Veteran’s and boasts a nice resource center.
Job.com A site for general job seekers though I think it owes much of its success to owning a great domain name.
TheLadders When it launched it only listed jobs paying $100K or more but since 2011 has lowered that bar. Still it attracts higer level positions – and is one of the few that asks for payment from both employers and job seekers.
Dice This is a great site for technology professionals, but if you are one, you probably already knew this.
FindtheRightJob I’ve never been crazy about a site that makes you sign in just to see job postings.
JobBank USA Not a well made site but it does have lots of listings if you click “Muilti Database Listings”.
Jobster An up-and-comer with nice features, definitely worth a look.
Other great resources to start your journey. Click on the name to go to the site:
LinkUp Great site because it also crawls corporate sites for jobs.
LinkedIn As we know from a past column this site is helpful in many ways. Check out their job listings a well.
Vault Also from a past column this site is useful as a resource for all things work-related.
Riley Guide A lesser-known resource this is a site that divides job boards according to industry.
Mashable For tech and media-related jobs this is also it.
Craigslist Obviously not always a trusted source it can be incredibly helpful for people seeking entry-level positions.
NYTimes Worth a look though it’s probably redundant.
Idealist For those socially conscious job seekers try this site.
NY JobSource Here’s a local site that might have a tighter search result for some.
TweetMyJobs A new player on the scene this site and others like it will become more prominent as job seeking takes a social twist.
SmartBrief Industry-specific and highly informative resource.
Jason Veduccio is a hard-working entrepreneur following his dreams, and he wants you to dream, too. Drawing on his experiences working with companies on marketing, technology, hiring, and workplace issues, his regular column will demystify the job search process and identify strategies for moving up the corporate ladder. Founder of In1Concepts, Jason also knows the ins and outs of launching a new business. He welcomes your questions and can be reached at jason@in1concepts.com.
Before we dig into the topic of job boards and how to approach them, let’s look at our own approach to an online job search. Thankfully it’s not all that hard nowadays to get your resume in front of employers, but getting a job still remains as difficult as ever and that’s our goal, right?
The online job board world is a network of sites and message centers that enable employers to connect with job seekers much in the same way as online dating sites; by using algorithms to match certain key indicators. (‘Algorithm’ is just a fancy word for “secret formulas that crank out answers based on what you input”)
I intend on giving you a WAT Resource List of job sites in the next column, but before we go forward without knowing the opportunities that are out there, let’s see some things you need to know about job boards:
Many of the sites themselves will ask you to sign in using your email. This is common practice and might even be good for those of you that want to receive email alerts about possible job matches. Just remember to use an email that is professional (see my previous story).
Any site that asks for payment upfront without a trial period should be looked at carefully. I know a few that are “pay-only” sites, but, in general, be hesitant about paying for job results. There are too many free ones out there to try first and usually the employer pays any upfront fees.
You will notice many of the job sites will take you to another employer-based site calling for yet another sign in process. Although ridiculously time-consuming and redundant, this is not a scam and for many larger corporations it’s basic protocol.
Have both a WORD and PDF version of your resume open on your desktop and available for attaching to emails and sending. Not sure how to make a PDF out of that Word or other text document? Simply go to “File” and hit “Save As” and it should offer you the option to save your resume as a PDF version.
Once you get to searching for jobs, you can quickly become lost in a maze. On each site, you will want to refine your search. Trying different modifiers will help until you get the idea.
Here’s what I call a “Street Tip” because it’s off-the-record-unofficial and, in reality, unproven other than by myself and my friends:
Street Tip! Obviously you want to enter your location and your job title as parameters in a search, but maybe start with a wider net and then make it smaller. That will allow you to see at what point things like salary and job descriptions change. If you are a graphic designer, first start with a search that includes “Art Director” and see what results come up. Besides seeing how this position is different from yours, notice something important: if a company is hiring a position above you, there is a good chance that after that person is hired, he or she will want to bring in new people. So if you see an opening “above” you, make a mental note and in a month or two send a resume and a nice cover letter.
Next week we will see a Resource List of job sites to use and give tips for how to best use them in your job search. Remember that these sites have slightly different ways of working but some general basics apply. Sites designed for people in your industry, niche, or job title will often yield higher percentage results. On the other hand, larger sites can offer a better overall look at what the landscape looks like. You will want to use all of them, but do so systematically or this job search can turn into a full time, non-paying job itself.
Jason Veduccio is a hard-working entrepreneur following his dreams, and he wants you to dream, too. Drawing on his experiences working with companies on marketing, technology, hiring, and workplace issues, his regular column will demystify the job search process and identify strategies for moving up the corporate ladder. Founder of In1Concepts, Jason also knows the ins and outs of launching a new business. He welcomes your questions and can be reached at jason@in1concepts.com.
A new Gallup poll found that 70 percent of Americans claim to “hate their jobs”. I know firsthand that many people are unhappy in their current situations, but I still found that number to be shocking. That kind of negative energy bottled up in some cubicle somewhere isn’t good for any of us. So let’s go; we have work to do.
Let’s be clear about what really happened. Gallup’s 2013 State of the American Workplace Report is a 68-page feast for someone wanting to get a clearer view of the American workplace than just by watching reruns of The Office. It’s packed full of new data and it does lead with the proposition that 70 percent of Americans are disengaged with their jobs to varying degrees.
This word “disengaged” is different from “hate” but “hate” made its way to the news outlets because it grabs headlines and strikes a chord with people. The truth is much more important – to be disengaged means that people have no connection to their work, and as Gallup so clearly outlined in its report, this disengagement is “strongly connected to business outcomes essential to an organization’s financial success, including productivity, profitability, and customer satisfaction.” In other words this is more than an unhappy waiter ignoring your table. People who ‘hate” their jobs affect every square inch of our economy.
And at 70 percent, chances are some reading this story are unhappy or disengaged with their work or career. I have some direction. Follow me.
Make yourself more self-aware. You can use this skill to scrutinize not only your career but also your life. Sharpen this tool for your long term tool box. Sit down in a quiet space—no reading emails or texts—and do some writing. List the things you like and dislike about your current job. Do the same for your last job and the one before that. Now, look over your answers. Are there similarities across these positions that stand out? Are you finding yourself in the same situation time after time? If so take note!
Make a difference. People often feel disconnected because they feel they do not make a difference. Do you? Even a small difference can have a big impact company-wide. If you feel that nothing you do makes a difference, then start there. What difference would you want to make? You don’t need to save the world. What you do should, however, give your work meaning.
Find the source of your unhappiness. What environmental aspects surrounding your job are making you unhappy? Long hours? A cranky supervisor? A long commute? Unhappy co-workers? The list is endless because workplaces are constantly evolving imperfect ecosystems.
If your boss is the problem, tread carefully. There is rarely any “winning” when pitted against your boss and the effort isn’t worth it. Telling off your boss may get you fired. Even trying to rationally discuss your feelings may result in being labeled “uncooperative.” Above all, don’t vent about the boss to others in the office. Trash talk ALWAYS gets around and with the internet may be broadcast EVERYWHERE, thus dooming your chance to relocate. Take the high road. Be professional even when treated poorly. If you find yourself in a situation where you are being harassed or discriminated against, sexually or otherwise, contact an attorney immediately for counsel. These situations can be awful and getting out safely with your professional record intact is your immediate goal.
Stop complaining. After a quick round of venting to your friends about your job, empower yourself and do not let others dictate your happiness. Excessive complaining about anything will take your journey to happiness down a road to nowhere.
Take on more work. This step may seem counterintuitive, but taking on new challenges, either from your company or outside your office, may be the jump start your career needs. Volunteer somewhere, take a course in something, or ask for an interesting assignment from your boss. Sound difficult when you’re already battling the workplace blues? You bet! Yet this strategy may start a domino effect leading to self-improvement and a pay off down the road.
These last two steps can set up your next move. By stopping your complaints and taking on more work, you are a) breaking the cycle and b) beginning to give your work meaning—even if only a little. Most people, even the most successful among us, have had jobs they disliked. Those who go on to success always find something valuable wherever they are working, whether it’s access to training, networking opportunities, working with talented people, or even being able to eat in a great cafeteria. Uncover what is good about your job and then cultivate your need for more of that element by seeking out like minded people and positive experiences.
Planning your move. In Charlene Giannetti’s The Part Time Solution: The New Strategy for Managing Your Career While Managing Motherhood, she advised working mothers to evaluate a part time position by using the three S’s— Salary, Satisfaction and Status. This method also works with a full time job. If a position is satisfying and pays well but lacks an impressive title it might be worth a look. If it only pays well and would neither be satisfying nor esteemed, then probably not. This is a good thumbnail plan for deciding when it’s time to fly from the nest.
Before you begin that job search, determine what went wrong this time around. Did you go into your current job with blinders on, not seeing the red flags along the way? Was your on-the-job behavior partly responsible for things going south? What will you do differently this time around?
Finally, do the single most important thing to change your work situation: believe in yourself. You have more options than you may recognize to grow and find your own happy career path, whether you stay where you are or move on. Love yourself and you will end up loving your job, too.
Jason Veduccio, founder of In1Concepts, works with companies on marketing, technology, hiring, and workplace issues. He welcomes your questions and can be reached at jason@in1concepts.com.
There is no one best way to find a job opportunity. A lead can come from anywhere, which is why they say if you’re looking for a job, you never really stop working. There are ways to be a bit like Sherlock Holmes in your search and hopefully here we can outline some of those for you. Keep in mind that none of the following may ultimately help you find your next job because it often comes from someplace least expected, but these actions sure will increase your chances.
First, start with a mindset. If you think of finding a job as pure drudgery then it already sets you off course. Is it drudgery? Of course it is. But try to imagine the things that job will bring you and make it about that if you need to. You need a positive reason to be relentless. It’s awfully hard to be relentless if you kinda-sorta-not-really-somewhat want that position at the publishing company. Start to see “jobs” as opportunities and not always so rigidly defined as some set of duties and obligations. Opportunities are literally everywhere and one reason I prefer that you see this is because in tremendously hard times – as we are all witnessing over the last few years – one could argue that there is just as much opportunity if not always as many jobs.
Let’s look at some of the basic ways in which you can increase your chances of finding leads:
Networking – This is the single most powerful tool in your search for anything, so get really good at it! For those that think it’s too difficult, think again. Start with those closest to you, your friends and family. Remember – if you don’t ask you won’t know and you will be left out. Ask for help and then REMIND people. Always be polite and always write thank you notes. Write letters to people you admire and ask their advice, it’s always a great way to open a dialogue. Try and be around people as much as possible, but be sincere in your efforts or it will not be as effective.
Trade Groups/Affiliations – Each industry has its own groups and trade organizations so if you’re thinking of going into a certain area of business you must find these groups. What better way to do so but to attend some meetings? It’s always better to find people with like-minded interests rather than join a group just because the people are important. (However, let’s be smart here, if you have the chance to be around influential people at an event or a party then, by all means, do so). I think the key to networking is finding that perfect balance between being aggressive and not being desperate. Once at an event, start networking!
College/School Alumni – Depending on where you went to school and how long ago you graduated, this resource can be valuable. Talking with fellow alumni often leads to insider information when it comes to job openings and a referral from fellow alumni can be powerful.
Job Fairs – Companies often send employee recruiters to Job Fairs and though these can leave you feeling a bit like a lost sheep, there is great value in attending the better ones. Stick to ones you know that specialize in your areas of interest.
Headhunters – For those seeking some of the higher-level executive jobs, utilizing the services of a professional recruiter or headhunter is the best way to go. They have the inside track on what employers are looking for and often can act as a sort of matchmaker. If you find yourself needing a headhunter, then you probably have peers who know someone, so ask around. And remember to never pay an application fee if someone asks you to do so. Maybe there is a legitimate reason for one, somewhere out there, but in almost all occasions it’s a scam.
Online Sites & Postings – The newest and most expansive method of finding a new position is to hit the online job boards and online postings. It is its own enormous universe so take a breather and we will deal with this next time. For now be on the lookout for your next lead. (And in preparation, read my story on LinkedIn).
Jason Veduccio is a hard-working entrepreneur following his dreams, and he wants you to dream, too. Drawing on his experiences working with companies on marketing, technology, hiring, and workplace issues, his regular column will demystify the job search process and identify strategies for moving up the corporate ladder. Founder of In1Concepts, Jason also knows the ins and outs of launching a new business. He welcomes your questions and can be reached at jason@in1concepts.com.
