Much has changed, and much is still the same.

I’m still doing executive search and IT consulting, and have added project management sales to the mix with the new company I joined.

So my interests have broadened. From my work with career and employment related issues, I’ve been immersed in exploring the most conscious, leading edge companies in the country. I’m determined to find out what it takes to work in them and share it with you. I want us to learn what these companies are doing in their cultures that made them, and KEEPS them, “Leading Edge”.

So what does it take to work for the best companies in the country? What kinds of skills do you need? What does it take to get hired and what does it take to succeed?

I’m proud to say that one of the things I’ve been doing is working on a new Reality Show Pilot, entitled, “So What’s It Take To Work There?”, to find answers to that question.

If you have a few moments, check out the sizzle reel. Our first subject was Zappos, the great internet shoe retailer based in Henderson, NV. We spent the day there doing interviews on what it takes to get a job and work for one of the best companies in the country. It’s been very well received and I’m proud of our accomplishment. It’s lots of fun and I’m SO HAPPY to share it with you. Wait till you see the Zappos work environment.

SO, WHAT’S  IT TAKE TO WORK THERE?

Here’s the You Tube link:

http://www.youtube.com/user/DianneGubin?feature=mhum#p/u/1/x-rztcObPnA

Tell me what you’ve been doing. Or send me your resume… I’m always happy to keep my eyes open for you.

It’s good to back. Remember, do the basics, keep the faith, network, and keep moving forward.

Yours truly,

Dianne Gubin

• Stand up / pace
• Look in mirror
• Speak clearly.   Watch rambling, however make sure you fully answer the question
• Look at company’s website –  and look up the managers on LinkedIn
• Ask client what they want to cover.   Given the oppty, ask the interviewer to tell you in their own words what they are looking for in candidate and in filling position
• Have the job description handy – make sure your answers match key needs of the position
• Write on a piece of paper the bullet points you want to make sure to cover
• Answer q’s fully and ask if you’ve provided answer interviewer needed
• Be sure to address what value YOU bring to manager / company
• Don’t give the interviewer a hard time or set-up unnecessary road blocks
• Find out what interviewer’s process is – how many candidates will see, when interview in person, when make decision?

CANDIDATE QUESTIONS FOR PHONE INTERVIEW

• Why is the position open?
• What are some of the immediate challenges of the role?
• What are the priority projects for the next six months?
• What would be the next step?
• What’s your time frame for someone to start?

Be sure to express your interest in working for the company!   Good luck!

With on-line job boards, you have moments to catch the reader’s eye.  Tailoring your résumé for every position guarantees that you are the one who will get the call.

I was working with a candidate and sent him a note asking him how many people he had managed.   He replied via email, “it was on his résumé.”  It was on his résumé… but only if I could decipher between the many jobs he held, and find where he managed his largest team.   Make it easy for your reader to pick out the key points regarding your background and how these match the job.

Is your résumé tailored for every position?  Will your background match the needs of the hiring manager?  Look for the key words on the job description and if appropriate, mirror the same words on your résumé so that your background jumps as perfect during a key word search.

Basics:

• Contact information including your city and state, email and daytime phone number
  • Be sure to use the same font as the body of your resume, although it’s acceptable to bold or enlarge your contact information
  • Write contact information directly on your resume.  Avoid putting into a header as not all online programs can see this information.
• Summary of your skills
• Chronological professional experience with most recent at the top
• Education
• Professional licenses and certifications
• Professional associations, affiliations, honors, and speaking engagements

Résumé etiquette:

• Keep your résumé length to no more than two or three pages. Respect your reader. No one wants to slog through six or more pages.
• Watch your tenses. Current jobs are in present tense. All prior positions are in the past tense.
• Never use the word “I” on your résumé.

Tailor your résumé to all positions.   And use the key words affiliated with the job description as close to the top as possible on your résumé.

Finding a job through Internet searches can be both daunting and time-consuming.  It’s easier if you feel in control.

First, where do you want to work?  Target a geographic radius from your home.

• How far are you willing to commute?
• Are you willing to relocate? And would you relocate at your own expense?
• Are you willing to travel in a job?
• How much income do you need to cover your lifestyle?
• Define your dream job

Research companies in your target zip codes.

Resources can include:

• Professional and personal networks
• Job boards
• Internet sites such as LinkedIn
• Employment Development Department (EDD) for your state
• Vocational organizations
• Staffing agencies
• Outplacement agencies
• Alumni associations
• Professional associations
• Niche industry focus group
• Professional publications

Short Cut:

Who do you know who can hand walk your resume to a hiring manager?

JOB SEEKERS

It’s prudent to keep a “Career Spreadsheet” in Excel or another software program.

TRACK:

• Dates you upload your résumé and refresh to on-line job boards
• Dates you send your résumé to recruiters
• Dates and feedback from all phone and in-person interviews
• Dates you directly apply to companies via corporate HR Web sites
• Contacts you have met through networking events

Keep track of all dates.  When you submit your résumé directly to a corporate database, there may be a period of time which must pass before you can be represented by an outside recruiter.

Be sure to keep your job search documentation in one place.

“Who am I professionally?”

• If I could have any job I wanted, what would that be?
• What are my unique talents?
• How can these talents solve key frustrations of an employer?
• Am I happier in a smaller environment or large corporation?
• What are the qualities of my ideal manager?
• Where would I like to be professionally in five years?

Begin with the end in mind.    Knowing what’s important to you professionally is the key to securing your perfect job.

In building a maintaining a professional network, relationships will always set you apart from your competition. Expand your professional network by joining industry specific organizations, as well as special interest groups.
The holidays are an outstanding time to connect with friends and potential employers.  There are holiday events in every industry.   Allow the  luck factor of being in the right place at the right time.

Show up and enjoy!

As a staffing professional and career consultant, I’ve worked with hundreds of hiring managers and thousand of candidates.  Here’s what works today:

1. The power of your personal professional network

Nothing is better than a personal referral.   If you haven’t done so yet, start telling people that you are now “in transition” and seeking your next opportunity.  And know that being in “transition” is not déclassé – it’s actually much more common than you think.

What to do first?  Update your on-line profiles and start showing up at professional events around town.  Reach out to associates from your past.  Ask people to keep you in mind.  Be visible!

When you’re looking for a job, you’re really in sales and the product you’re selling is you!    Read up on sales skills and interviewing techniques.  Know where you are in the process.

Take the initiative to circle back with everyone in your network on a periodic basis.  Relationships are important and there’s nothing worse than being a fair weather friend.  If you’re going to reach out and ask people for help, then take responsibility for circling back with your network regularly – even after you get the new job.

2. The power of social networking

Increase your sphere of influence. On-line social networking sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook allow you visibility and access.  Be searchable.  Update your profile with key words to reflect a mini resume so that recruiters can find you.   Start linking with as many people and groups as you can, especially on the business profile sites.

Open a personal email account which you only use for job hunting for the rest of your career and  keep a personal business card.

Own your power when applying on-line to corporate websites:

The Internet is the best tool ever for job hunters.  When possible, don’t submit your resume through the job boards.  Look for someone in your personal or on-line network who can introduce you to a manager in the company.   Reach out.

3.  The Power of Focus

Focus your energy.  You can waste hours trolling the web.  Only apply to jobs which fit your skills, background and interests.  This will increase your likelihood of success.

Recruiters work on many searches at the same time.  When submitting your resume, make good use of the subject line.   Say in the subject line: PERFECT FIT for XYZ position –  DIANNE GUBIN.    You will get the call.

You can make it easy for recruiters and hiring managers to remember you.  Attach to your resume to all correspondence.

4. The Power of Volunteering

NOW is always an outstanding time to grow your network.  Every professional and non-profit association needs volunteers.  Raise your hand, show up early and be visible.  You’ll have the opportunity to exercise your talents and people will get to know you in a different light.

5. The Power of Thought

Remember the power of intention and expectation.  While networking and interviewing, INTEND and EXPECT positive outcomes.   See your self working in the company where you’re interviewing.  See yourself clicking with the hiring managers and the team.  See yourself working at this new job every day.  Think your way into a new story and watch it unfold.

Apply these Power Tools for your career and watch your new job unfold.

According to recent articles, some companies are not hiring unemployed candidates.

“WASHINGTON If you lose your job these days, it’s worth scrambling to find a new one fast. After six months of unemployment, your chances of landing work dwindle.

“The proportion of people jobless for six months or more has accelerated in the past year and now makes up 46 percent of the unemployed. That’s the highest percentage on records dating to 1948. By late summer or early fall, they are expected to make up half of all jobless Americans.

“Economists say those out of work for six months or more risk becoming less and less employable. Their skills can erode, their confidence falter, their contacts dry up.”

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/05/long-term-unemployment-growing_n_601930.html

Not hiring an unemployed candidate is not illegal, but a form of silent prejudice, just as insidious as age or sex discrimination, or choosing not to hire a candidate with a disability who is capable of doing the job.  The point of the interview process and reference checks is to determine a candidate’s ability to perform in a position.

It could be that some companies are so inundated with candidates for any given opening that “current employment” is now another qualification weeding tool, along with college degree and on target salary.

Considering it can take a month (or more) of job search for every $10,000 you’d like to earn, what should you do to show current activity on your résumé if you’re unemployed or a recent college graduate?

The key is to justify time out of the traditional work force at the top of your résumé under Professional Experience.  This can include:

• Consulting, contract, or temporary projects

• Your own business.  Regardless of the ultimate financial success of the business, you will gain a multitude of new skills and experiences.

• Volunteer work.  Every professional association seeks volunteers.  Raise your hand and show up to make new connections in your industry.

• Highlighting time for travel, elder or child care, or other personal concerns.

• Continuing your education to maintain your competitive edge.

Management of your personal brand in today’s economy means that your résumé is always current.

How can you best self promote, especially if you don’t like talking about yourself or if patting yourself on the back is not part of the corporate culture?

First, know that others really are interested in what you’ve done and what makes you special. And no one knows how wonderful and accomplished you are─unless you tell them.

It’s important to let others, including managers, colleagues, support staff, clients, and vendors, know of your achievements. When asked what’s new, share news of your successes and give others something positive to say about you when you’re absent. Let your reputation stand for solid success.
An easy way to self promote is to be aware of what others say and do in your company and department. Follow their lead. See what techniques and tactics others use to spread the word about their accomplishments. Do your managers and peers embed their successes into casual conversations, participate actively in meetings, or do email blasts?

Accomplishments are not always tied to the sales department. Accomplishments can include organizing a successful meeting or holiday party, implementing a new software that saves the company time and money, participating in a volunteer activity, or making it back quickly from a business trip to Europe when other people were grounded for volcanic eruption.

Self promoting can be as simple as maintaining a list of achievements since your last performance review. Document regularly the activities that everyone takes for granted and those that are beyond your job description. Pull out the list when it’s time to negotiate your next raise.

And if you’re looking for a job, social networking sites, especially LinkedIn with its link to Twitter and a personal blog, are excellent places to stay top of mind for those in your extended network.

During an interview, be sure to discuss your successes and what makes you unique. Tie your personal successes back to show how past achievements are indicators of future performance. Discuss how you can make your new manager and new company successful.

And back to our executive: Ultimately over the course of several months Tanya deliberately embedded stories and tidbits relating to her background and accomplishments into executive conference calls, as well as conversations with management and peers. The result? Tanya has been elevated to a new position with increased responsibility and visibility and is headed to a far superior situation at the organization.