Career / Personal Development

How to get a job in a stressed economy

Karen Mattonen Hits: 934

findajob copy As a recruiter what I have often seen as the biggest mistake that candidates make in looking and getting a job - they apply to jobs of which they are not qualified. They look for jobs that they think they would be great at, but not what they Have Actually Done, nor do they any practical experience.

And especially today, with so many unemployed, candidates don't recognize that if they Send out too many resumes to the same company; especially resumes that do not demonstrate qualifications to the positions which they are applying - the companies will ultimately blacklist these individuals.

And if they Don't literally blacklist the candidate they will remember the candidates name.. and not in a positive way. The recruiter's initial reaction will be "here is that candidate again.. hmm.. isn't he applying anywhere else? " - the resume is either deleted, or is lost in the File 13- the deep dark ozone of the internet recesses.

How Do you avoid falling into and remaing in that Dark Hole? Well, My suggestion to all candidates before even considering doing an employment search -

Look at your resume.. take a reflective and honest look at your resume. Now look at what the majority of your Most Current experience has been in.

Were you in Sales or customer service.. well then focus on searching on those type on positions. Only.. Don't submit to management if you have No experience, and even if you do, but it is very limited.. that is of course unless the company clearly states that they will consider individuals with limited practical experience.

If the position is for Outside Sales, or for something that sounds so exciting, and interesting.. well this is definitely not the time to consider either making a career change, or hoping that the company will want to "teach" you, no matter how "learnable" you are..

With the Glutton of Resumes coming their direction, Companies don't Need nor want to "fit" square pegs in round holes today. They definitely don't need warm bodies. and they Definitely don't need to train anyone who isn't qualified for the positions that they advertise. These are all legal reasons for companies not to consider your application.

Recruiters are worse.. see, we are paid by the client with specific instructions, that are also all legal, to find that Future Employee who can walk on Water; They want the racehorse that has not only run the particular course, but which has also won several medals.

So if recruiter says I need someone to match 6 out of 6 requirements; Well that is exactly what they are being paid by their clients to find. As long as the requirements are Objective, specific to the job criteria, and are specific to what it takes to get the job done, then they can focus on the particulars of the clients’ requests.

Having good credit for example is a requirement which could be deemed as unnecessary. Credit is not necessary for most companies for applicants to be able to perform their task, and to do the job well. Banks and financial institutions are the few examples where credit can be considered a legal requirement

Other Examples where companies may make requests to over qualify candidates, needlessly, and may overextend the extent of the law, would be college degree; Age- unless the position would be for say a pilot; Race, or Religion are also not considered to be Objective qualifications either or consistent to business necessity unless of course the position may be for example - a Priest.

Candidates it is necessary in your job search that you will be honestwith yourself when looking for a job.

Start your job search every morning by first eating a full breakfast; Then get dressed in your usual work clothes, then go to your computer

Your Attitude will be the biggest winner in getting a job. When you Feel as you are starting your day as if you are going to work.. you Will be surprised at the positive emotions that will emit from you to others..

You MUST have a positive attitude.. negativity WILL kill your chances! Or, definitely delay them.

Start your search by first writing a 30 second script about yourself; It must include what you have done for the past decade or so.

Now, locate all the companies in YOUR AREA who do what you can do. Where your experience would fit.. And, Yes, In YOUR local area. - Companies don't want, Nor do they need to pay for relocation on majority of the jobs today. Use tools such as the local yellow pages, trade magazine, trade websites to locate these companies. Reach out to your friends as well.

No Job Boards! STAY AWAY from the job boards - NO the job boards are the LAST place to look. 90 percent of the jobs are either filled already, no longer in existent, not even existing today.. as the companies are just collecting resumes.. or they have someone they already offered the position to, and they are just fulfilling legal obligations by adding these jobs.

Try to find out who the hiring managers are in the department; Or, at least who the Decision maker is. Use all your resources you can muster.

Finding a job is a Job in itself..

Pick up your phone and start making some calls. Yes, CALL! You don't want to be one of the 300 emails that the recruiter or HR manager receives each day.. And you definitely don’t want to be just a piece of paper on my desk that we receive each day, week, month..

You can either be a number, or you can find a way to Stick out from the Rest of applicants that cross our desk every day

Keep making these calls.. No matter how challenging or frustrating it may become. Remember one important thing.. YOU are the asset that they need to make that company do Well. THAT is what you must believe, and that is what you Will portray in your voice, and in your actions.

Last suggestion – “Networking” was the Fad word back in the Early 80's and it ultimately became the solution for great sales and production. One went /and many of us still attend networking meeting, Round Tables, conferences; All excellent opportunities to create prospects; Opening doors to meet individuals who may know individuals who may get you to the right individual who would be hiring.

Today the internet is a resource.. not a solution (I wouldn't make it my only resort, and it definitely isn't a Primary, but it is a positive resource)

I would be out of work As a recruiter, if it were not for Networking: reaching out to anyone and everyone who may know the name of someone, or know of companies that were hiring.. if not theirs, then who else..

If it were for not reaching out to Anyone who may work at companies or USED to work at companies or have Friends, or friends of friends who work at specific companies to find who the decision makers were.. to know more about the company, to better understand the dynamics of the people who work there.. well as I said, if it were not for these things.. I would be out of work.

This is how we as recruiters often find our career opportunites - through networking.. it isn't the who you know.. but it is in the Masse - it is those numbers - that will allow you the opportunity to meet the Who will be making the decision to hire you!

Remember Luck is about doing the work to get you at the right spot at the right time. W/o the work, you will remain where you are.

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ABOUT KAREN MATTONEN, CAC, CSP

Karen Mattonen, has built the reputation as a passionate advocate of workforce ethics and labor relations. Her passion, Knowledge and network has escalated over the years to a point where she is faithfully engaged by 1000's of corporate professionals that appreciate her insight and perspective.

As a result of feedback from her articles, and blogs, and from attending a variety of conferences; Karen came away frustrated that the "experts " usually stopped short of making firm recommendations which might actually aid professionals as they returned to their workloads.

While appreciating the counsel offered at these popular events, she felt that an attempt should be made to disseminate more, and better information by the industry's regulatory agencies, and peer reviewed experts.

Her passionate and tireless advocacy has led her to create HireCentrix - The Pulse of H.R, Regulation, Retention, Recruiting and Risk Management www.hirecentrix.com. Hirecentrix is a company dedicated to providing training to the HR, recruiting and staffing industries, which includes a special focus on the ethical and legal dimensions through offering a full service resource for individuals to share and communicate, obtain current and accurate information, acquire and provide education and learning within the quickly expanding, diverse and rapidly changing Recruiting and Human Resource climate.

HireCentrix makes available Critical, Actionable and Required direction and insight, often from sources among the most qualified on the subject. The HireCentrix experience is made available in a way that overcomes the time and budget challenges that plague the modern reality of Human Capital professionals.

Karen has achieved accreditation as a California Accredited Consultant (CAC) through California Staffing Professionals. She has also gained her Certified Staffing Professional Certificate (CSP) through American Staffing Professionals. (www.americanstaffing.net)

Outside of the HR community, Karen Mattonen has been cited by Microsoft as a resource in how to use Microsoft Outlook as an ATS. She has also served as the Marketing and Public Relations Director for the 3rd largest city in Utah.

Click here to reach Karen via email.