Networking Advice

[BayBuck]

I have a question about online applications. I've filled out several, but have yet to recieve a single response. The nature of online applications doesn't allow for me to contact the local...employer. It sends the app to a general pool of applicants, and is only looked at when the employer needs an immediate replacement, I'm assuming. Some employers don't even have an option to fill one out in person. My question is, does anyone have any experience being hired or hiring from an online application? I know this doesn't apply to most here, but any help would be appreciated.

All of my post-college jobs have required online applications (hello academics/civil service), but even with a specific opening in place the online app almost by definition goes into a generic pool, so I have always supplemented the online process with a direct contact. I will find out who is actually responsible for filling that position and call them up, and basically say "I am BayBuck, I'm interested in and have applied for this job, here are my qualifications etc", so when they get that generic pile of resumes they already recognize mine. I always at least get an interview.

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

As BayBuck says.. networking is King...

Finding out who the hiring mgr is... having someone else already there bring up your name to the hiring mgr... having someone hand your resume to the hiring manager.. etc...

Networking... networking... networking...

works even in construction...

 

[BUCKYLE]

As BayBuck says.. networking is King...

Finding our who the hiring mgr is... having someone else already there bring up your name to the hiring mgr... having someone hand your resume to the hiring manager.. etc...

Networking... networking... networking...

works even in construction...

Yeah, everyone of my previous construction gigs have come from knowing someone already working there, or a former employee, except for the last one. The problem with construction in Ohio, of course, is that most companies, especially in my field of "expertise" (poured walls) shuts down during the winter. I have some prospects lined up for around March, mostly through former co-workers, and I'm sure I'll land on my feet in the spring. It's just been so long since I worked at any other type of job, my "networking" doesn't stretch into retail or warehouse work, and that's about all I'm qualified for at this point.

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

Let's talk a bit about resumes...

From a hiring mgr or recruiter perspective -- I need to know what you want to do.. don't make me think.. you need to tell me.. I'm not going to figure it out.. I'm lazy.. I have a job.. I already get a paycheck... (this paragraph will most likely change every time you submit) it needs to read like you are the perfect fit.. the job I have is the exact one you want (objective)
------------------------

From a great mentor years ago.. when I handed him my resume.. He replied:

Don't tell me you went up and down the elevator every day... tell me what you did when you were on the elevator...

Did you make it faster? Did you remove a couple floors? Did you make it bigger? Did you replace it with something better?

You have 60 seconds to GRAB me... or I'm onto the next resume... with the internet, I now get 3000 resumes for every job posted... you have a mere glance to get my attention

I only need to know a bit about your responsibilities and duties... inundate me with stats.. 93% more... 16% faster... reduced by 62% .. increased by 116% .. Best Manager of the Planet Earth award

From a job title most hiring managers will have a general idea of your duties.. you need to WOW them.. they need to say "I have to bring this guy in to find out HOW he did that?"

Your assignment is to inundate them with numbers.. this is NOT the time to share the glory.. this is your marketing piece.. and a time for you to take the glory.. none of this "my team did this.." don't tell me you facilitated.. take the full credit.. don't identify.. instead "developed and executed strategy leading to 116% growth" .. they most likely can't expect documentation to audit exact numbers.. but you need to be prepared to explain how you moved the dials.. make them want to ask you in person.. you don't tell them HOW you did it in the resume.. you wanna know? call me in and ask me face to face

Use odd numbers.. no 150%.. use 146% so there is the perception that it came from a documented report...


Also.. take note about the keyword search matching...

If you respond to a posting... make sure you use the same terms the posting has...

If the ad says "manage" .. you use "manage" not "directed" or "led"
"Implemented" isn't the exact match of "created" .. get the picture?

Your goal is to never provide a resume... it will block you most of the time... the person 'looking' at the resumes may very well not know a dang thing about the job being filled... they just need to provide a "match" of the requirements

Network... network.. network

YOU BETTER NOT BE READING THIS UNLESS YOUR CONTACT LIST MENTIONED EARLIER IS DONE !!!
How we use that phenom and invaluable tool next...

 

[buckeyebri]

As BayBuck says.. networking is King...

Finding out who the hiring mgr is... having someone else already there bring up your name to the hiring mgr... having someone hand your resume to the hiring manager.. etc...

Networking... networking... networking...

works even in construction...

I just returned from a networking meeting. What is being said here is huge. A person who just landed a job and another going for an interview said that their contact came from another contact. So, depth of networking is important. Ditto for getting to the hiring manager as opposed to the HR person.

If your not on Linkedin get yourself going on it....

And thanks to NJ-Buckeye.....PAY IT FORWARD....

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

B-Bri.. add all those people from the networking meeting to the list... while you still remember them... add phone numbers if you can get them...

Ideally this list will include contact info... and notes...

Next post will be about THE LIST and how to use it
It'll be your friend until you're done with your Walmart greeter job at 70
or "Bill Murray" job at the golf course

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

The all important list of network contacts

To best know how this list can be used...think of a scenario

You either heard there is an opening at Acme Corp which is in the gizmo industry or you'd like to work at Acme or land a job in the gizmo industry

You grab your list.. you go to EVERY name... in every column... and start thinking... who on this list knows something about the gizmo industry... or who on this list MIGHT know something about the Acme Corp... and brain cells will start exploding with ideas... it's a puzzle and the list is your cheat sheet

You then reach out to your networking contact... You tell them you're calling because they are a success/admired in the industry and you value their input... then you start asking questions like... "what do you see is the future with gizmo's? or what do you think are the problems in that industry? how would you fix them?" .. "what is the culture like at Acme?" ... depending on how well you're conversing .. if they don't know the answer they very well may provide you contact info of someone who does... and if you're really lucky, they'll make a couple calls for you... if they don't readily provide addl contacts, ASK "is there anyone you know that I should talk to to gain better insight?"

You've never asked anyone for a JOB... you're just doing your due diligence and information gathering... plus you are getting great input that you will use in your next networking conversation... pretty soon, you're pretty wizardous about the industry, the company.. what the problems are and ways to fix them

Your list keeps growing... and you have one more networking contact.. the next time you're looking at the Zeon Company that makes plastics... or whatever

You also will move people around from column to column... because some folks bend over backwards to help.. and some you were sure would help are useless... You will be amazed at the surprises you will get... and there will be folks you never imagined .. that will go hogwild to help you... because they too have been down this arduous path

You get to an interview... and it's like you've been studying for the test... you're armed for bear... and don't be surprised if one of the folks you DIDN'T ask for a job... seems to tell you that 'Acme is actually looking for someone in that area'.. and no one ever knew... or that 'we might need someone with your expertise... and we were looking to add someone... we just weren't sure when"

Network... network... network

 

[BuckBackHome]

Bri - Be careful of NJ. He went to Hoban!

Seriously, he helped me out tremendously a few years when I was looking to shift gears and careers, and he knows a few people or thousand (guy's a freak, but in a good way).

I'll shoot you an email. Saw yours the other night, but haven't had a chance to do more than read them.

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

You are to set a daily budget of networking calls.. whatever it is.. 10 calls a day?
And you need to measure yourself? "did I do 10 calls today?.. only 8? I need to do 12 tomorrow"

If you don't have your contact list built... at least to start... and it should have a couple hundred names
and if you haven't started making the calls...
then you're in a bad way.. and it's gonna get real bad

If you are employed.. you should still be making your list... while there is no stress... cuz you very well may get no warning when you're on the outside looking in .. and you should be making networking calls all the time... not as many.. but keep the contacts warm...

 

[buckeyebri]

NJ what are your thoughts on contracting as a way to get a more permanent in with an organization and continue to build your network, or as a way for each of you to test each other out?

Does anyone have any experience with non-competes? Is it reality that a company could hold you to a non-compete in your industry when they laid you off. You have to have the ability to earn a living right....

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

Contracting is an excellent way for both parties to feel each other out.. and in your specific area.. a fab idea

There are significant tax advantages to you as well... as a 1099 employee, you have a LOT of deduction opportunities... your car, car insurance, car expenses, computer, office expenses, cell phone, internet, etc... get a great accountant and he can save you a fortune

There are a couple big negatives... you pay both sides of FICA... so instead of paying 8.65% you pay 17.3% .. but that's AFTER the deductions above... these aren't itemized deductions... these are business expenses straight off revenue... HUGE difference...

Unless you have cobra... getting medical coverage is a biggie... and expensive.. but ask your acct whether this is a business expense vs itemized deduction

Lastly there are a lot of savings opportunities with what you can defer, income-wise.. plus what you can pay family to work for the business...

The biggest problem with consulting gigs is that it's tough to look for your next assignment while you are working on the current one... so you may have downtime... not unlike the current job hunt you're doing now

Don't be surprised if your consulting short term idea becomes your permanent solution... lots of quality of life advantages

 

[Best Buckeye]

Contracting is an excellent way for both parties to feel each other out..

i don't need no stinking contract when a honey and I wanta feel each other out , Just sayin....

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

As far as non-competes... find a labor law attorney...

There are cases in which a company must pay you during the non-compete period...

I was locked up tighter than a drum on a non-compete... but that's also because I negotiated one heckuva separation agreement...

If a company has ONE exception in which it did not go after a 'violator' then they could get manhandled in court... they can't pick and choose...

again, rather than give you bad advice, a labor law attorney is invaluable...

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

Seems the thread has run out of interest.. not many new views...

so unless anyone would like to take it further (you can PM me or email)...

I leave you with
1. spend 40 hrs a week on your quest... (the job isn't going to find you)
2. network.. network.. network... ( vs. the immortal job blocker - the resume)
3. create your list and keep it maintained... it will be a great tool forever...
4. pay it forward

best of luck to you all... if you'd ever need help... I'm here...

PS There's a whole load of addl 'stuff' if you ever need/want to do true career management.. and getting your dream job...

O H

 

[The KSB]

O H

I O