Work, success, and meaning at every stage of your career
Artie Lynnworth has over 40 years of management and hiring experience. He is the scheduled speaker for the May 26, 2011 meeting of the WorkSource Professional Network. He’s also the author of “Slice the Salami One Slice at a Time: Tips for Life and Leadership.” We had a discussion about jobseekers and interviews.
John Durfee wrote to me recently about his experience in transitioning from Gunnery Sargent to business. John, like many veterans, found that choosing a new career was a daunting task. It certainly wasn’t the piece of cake that the U.S. Army ads made it seem. “They made it look easy; a female soldier in fatigues running across a training course, and then she morphs into a business executive holding a attaché case. Looks easy right?” Without the special effects, it’s a longer challenge for most vets.
Do you use your middle name as your given name? Has it created any confusion in your job search?
Employers are using scanning technology and key word internet searches to find the best candidates for their needs. Specific phrases with quantitative proofs will help you get found; think of it as SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for your career.
Monster has introduced a mobile app for job seekers through iTunes. It’s a valuable resource for anyone looking for a job that has access to iTunes. And best of all, the app is free.
What I’ve learned is this:
Everything you need is already inside of you.
Don’t be afraid of change; embrace it as an adventure.
Believe in the value of who you are and what you do.
Do whatever it takes to set yourself up to succeed today.
When you’re in a job search, especially if you’re in a smaller town, you are always “on.” Your appearance – clothes, grooming and general energy level – are all a part of how people perceive you at first glance.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about what it would be like if your job search were like a musician’s search for work. Here’s what you can learn from their approach.
The informational interview is a mature technique (that ‘s a nice way of saying “old;” everyone’s heard of it and used it.) Asher’s fresh technique was to call a meeting to become a “candidate in waiting.” Asher says that smart managers know that they must be ready to replace key talent at a moment’s notice. People move, have emergencies, and get promoted all the time. It’s good policy to have a network of candidates in waiting who you’ve met, vetted, and know are interested in your company.
My Next Move (www.mynextmove.gov) is an easy-to-use electronic tool that enables users to explore occupations and find related information, including job openings, job outlook information, salaries, apprenticeships, and other related education and training programs.
