I’m Back!

It’s been a long time since I reached out. Not from lack of interest in maintaining contact, but rather because I’m been focused on re-potting, re-tooling, re-energizing and just making it through the economy! Yes, the Job Finding Expert had to do her own work-search.

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

Ace the Phone Interview!

Be prepared for phone interview as if it was an in-person interview. 

 

• 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!

WHERE ARE THE JOBS?

How do you find your ideal employer?

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?

 

Organizing for a Job Search

 

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?

The number one question for success during a  job search is:

“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.

Holiday Networking!

For every $10 thousand you’d like to earn, it can take up to a month of search. Whether planning a lateral career move, a transition to the next level of the professional ladder, or finding your first job out of college, the band-width and quality of your network will make the difference in how long your search will take and how close your new position will match the job of your dreams.

 

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!

Unemployed 6 months or longer? Now what?

Have you been unemployed 6 months or longer?  Now what?

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.

Easy Ways to Self Promote at Your Office

Tanya, a senior female executive in a largely male corporate environment, said that it was not unusual for her boss to take credit for her projects and successes.

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.

Pens To Pumps! First seminar update

My partner, Terri Turco Golden, and I shared our first joint seminar, Pens To Pumps!  It was great.  We had a full audience at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel.    The attendees, almost all women, had great feedback for us.  The material was right on target, but everyone wanted more time.

So… we’re planning the next workshop in July.  Date to be announced as I’m also speaking in July for a third time for the Mr. Money Financial Workshop.

The next Pens to Pumps program will be longer and go more into depth on the key  topics:  how to find a job quick in today’s economy, resumes to open doors, interviews and negotiation skills.

Will keep you posted!

Pens to Pumps!

Upcoming Workshop!  Saturday, May 8th 

From Pens to Pumps!

Perfect your Professional Persona Your Complete Employment Makeover
for
Ultimate and Stylish Success

Are you a professional woman looking to move up, transition, or just plain hang on to your job or career?

Would a “Pens to Pumps” business-image re-invention, complete with wardrobe and résumé update do the trick?

Join us for a Saturday morning seminar for your “Complete Workplace Makeover” for women on the rise.

When:   Saturday MAY 8th, 2010 –   9:30 A.M. to 12 Noon

Where:  Hollywood Heights Hotel -2005 North Highland, Hollywood, CA 90068

This fun, fast paced, information packed professional make-over seminar delivers tips, tricks and sustainable knowledge on how to perfect your employment persona.  Our two-part program will guide you from “pens to pumps” providing new ideas and tools guaranteed to make you stand out in this ultra-competitive job market.

Featuring:

Dianne Gubin – Executive Recruiter, Career Consultant, Media Host (www.DianneGubin.com)

Terri Turco Golden – Style Expert and Motivational Speaker(www.TerriTurco.com)

Dianne will disclose:

• Secrets to getting a job in this downsized economy – The cold hard facts and how to make them work for you
  
• Stepping up the corporate ladder
• Résumé writing that will make your employment background sing better than Beyonce
• Interview skills with proven results
• Tactics on negotiating low ball offers upwards

Terri will reveal:

• How clothing talks and what yours is saying
• The ultimate, must have wardrobe basics
• The importance of color – Can I wear silver sequins to a job interview?
• The fit factor and were not talking sit-ups.
• If you’re not Carrie Bradshaw how many shoes do you really need?
• How to effectively spend your wardrobe dollars
• Styling secrets that make you look ten pounds thinner…you don’t have to give up pound cake

REGISTER TODAY

$20 in advance via Paypal $25.00 cash only at the door We validate valet parking Space is limited…Sign up today!

To register via paypal:   http://www.diannegubin.com/ptp.html

For more information  818-222-0300 or Dianne@DianneGubin.com

Men are welcome to attend!