Avoid These Mistakes

By Larry Goldsmith, CWDP, P.E.T.

You come from all walks of life. You transcend every industry. You are employed, underemployed and unemployed. How can you be expected to know the ins and outs behind an effect job search in a world where many jobs (and industries) no longer have a shelf life while many more occupations and jobs (and industries) haven’t even surfaced yet? How could you possibly have all the know-how to do an informed job search? For example, are you prepared for any of these scenarios?

1) You call an employer on the telephone. They are not in and you get their voice mail. What do you do? What should you say?

2) You call the employer and the phone is answered by an aide. What do you say which will allow you to get by the gate keeper. Or maybe you actual reach the employer. You tell them why you are calling. They say, “Thank you.” We don’t need anyone right NOW. Are you prepared in either scenario to respond? How can you turn this around? My goodness. In the second example, you are speaking with an actual employer. Does a no mean nothing is there for you or can you find a way to get in the door for a future opportunity?

3) You are setting in the interview chair. The interview says, “Tell me about yourself.” You’ve always known this is your hardest question. What do you say?

4) You are at a restaurant. An old friend walks by your table. You recognize one another and they say, “Hello, what are you doing these days?” You have a good exchange. They tell you of a perfect contact, someone whom you’ve been trying to reach for a month now. You friend asks for your telephone number. What do you do? Write your number down on a piece of paper or a napkin?5) You are in an elevator. Two business people enter the elevator. You hear one say to other, “What are we going to do?” We weren’t planning on our key person quitting without notice”. You realize it is exactly the type of position you seek. What a golden opportunity. You have 15 seconds to introduce and sell your skills. How can you do this effectively so they remember you?

A poorly prepared job seeker is not ready to compete. Businesses today have too much at risk. Business managers do not lower their standards of hiring just because they are in need of employees. Even if high employment exist and lots of jobs are available, it does not necessary translate to automatic interviews and offers.

It is essential you are able to navigate these churning times of employment. From the onset, solid footing is essential. You must be alert to the important development stages of a job search. Where you are in what process and what is required of you to be competitive. When you develop an understanding of what works for you, you will find a well-being and a focus with clarity of self and direction.

Staging a Successful Job Search© (Coming This Fall)
Learning to create a series of staged events that engage the potential employer in a positive memorable experience to achieve the interview you seek.