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Maximize Your Job Search Transition Time!

brenda — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:00:48 +0000

This may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many job seekers are simply not using these proven strategies to ensure they do not get stuck in a job transition for longer than necessary. Many un/underemployed persons think that it is sufficient to simply make job searching a full-time job, but that’s simply not enough.

When employers are interviewing the long-term unemployed (or entry level workers) they want to know that you have been using your transition time wisely to get ready for your next opportunity. I have outlined some simple things you can do to make sure you have a great answer to that all-time favorite interview question, what have you been doing during your transition.

1. Make sure you’re doing some volunteering (make it regular) and don’t stop as soon as you get a job. Make sure your motives are pure, but pursue something that will allow you to keep your job skills fresh so your transition back to (or into) the workplace is seamless.

2. Participate in LinkedIn group discussions; this is a great opportunity to continually showcase your up-to-date knowledge of your industry. Trust me employers and recruiters are looking on LinkedIn to find candidates, and they want to see what you’ve been talking about. So make sure they find some powerful ammunition when it comes to you!

3. Join up with some industry organizations or professional societies to get the latest happenings in your industry. If the membership fees are outside of your budget, consider attending a few meetings as a guest, this is usually FREE.

4. Keep working your network, send updates to the folks that you trust, to be looking out for opportunities on your behalf. Be careful not to bombard them with requests or turn into a stalker, but simply keep them updated once a week on your status. Using a casual social media site like Facebook is very appropriate for this.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 5:15-17 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Brenda M. Cunningham is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and National Job Search Strategist. Brenda’s mission is to eradicate unemployment and underemployment and to help accelerate your job search. For more information on customized resume development, group workshops, and job search coaching visit www.royalresumeaz.com

Community Career Workshop Part I

brenda — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:38:34 +0000

Community Career Workshop Part I 3/6/12 @ 10-11:30am Desert West Community Center

2/25/12 @ 11:45am RWCA HR Forum

brenda — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:31:10 +0000

2/25/12 @ 11:45am RWCA HR Forum

Human Resources Panel to review Applicant Tracking Systems Phoenix City Grille

Why Having a Focused Job Search is So Critical: 5 Perspectives You Need to Know

brenda — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:55:30 +0000

Especially when you have been out of work for a long time, it is so tempting to just start applying to everything you that are remotely qualified for just to keep an income coming in.

When I hear that job seekers are applying for 100 jobs or more in a week, I know that they are not conducting a focused job search. They are simply submitting the same generic resume to every position that they come across. Here are 5 of the many reasons that you will not want to take this strategy in your own job search, but rather send a customized application package to each specific position posting within the industry or profession that you are pursuing.

1. Unfocused Resumes are extremely evident to hiring personnel.

2. If you are unclear about what YOU want, how can you be effective?

3. Desperation oozes from the job seeker that will take ANYTHING and they typically don’t get anything.

4. There are hundreds of job seekers for every job, no one will take the time to figure out what you might want. So you must be clear.

5. It’s hard for employers to find you if your resume doesn’t have a target, just like people who google resume writers in Phoenix, find me, you want employers looking for your profession to find you.

Some must take something until their ideal position comes along, there is nothing wrong with this, just try to ensure that these temporary assignments align with your ultimate goal. STAY THE COURSE…Don’t betray your vision or your purpose in the pursuit of just anything. God has called each of us to a specific purpose in life and it’s up to us to stay the course until our specific work is complete.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would bethe smelling? 1Corinthians 12:17

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Working with Job Recruiters: Real Advice from a Real Recruiter

brenda — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:01:58 +0000

One of the “accelerating your job search” strategies that I share with my clients is to work with recruiters in their industry. Recruiters have inside information when it comes to the positions that companies are hiring for. So I went directly to one of the valley’s premier recruiters for Accounting and Finance, Vaco Resources, and I interviewed their VP of Recruitment, Amy Cox. I worked with Amy ages ago during one of my career transitions and she was instrumental in getting me in front of hiring managers, so I value her expertise and mastery of her industry.

I’ve advocated working with recruiters on so many occasions, but here are some reasons why and some tips to make the best impression with a recruiter who can likely get you interviewed for several positions at the salary you want… Here we go!

1. What are the specific things you look for in a top candidate? - Great communication skills - Solid writing skills - Responsiveness – gets back with me quickly on urgent matters. - Professional presentation - Someone who is technically literate and up to date in their field. Certifications, accreditations, etc. - Education from a reputable university 2. Specific things you look for on a resume that would indicate a person is a quality candidate? - A thorough description of current software skill sets - Solid tenure in your roles (no job hopping) - Concise yet thorough bullet points (not paragraphs) describing your duties - Both your email address and phone number. You’d be surprised how many people omit one of those. - Descriptions of size of company (in dollars) and the size of business unit(s) you’ve worked with 3. Do you even consider candidates with long-term unemployment? What helps them to stand out to your firm? - Typically, companies engage recruiting firms to find candidates that they do not have access to on their own. In cases where someone may have been out of work for over a year, I recommend that they acknowledge that in the email they send in. I would typically try to work with those candidates on consulting assignments (temporary/contract) first, to get some current experience under their belt. 4. How do you suggest candidates discuss a long-term layoff during an interview with an employer? - In a very straightforward manner. The company performed a __% layoff, and I was part of the 3rd round of layoffs. Since that time, I’ve been doing ___. 5. Do you use social media platforms to scan for potential candidates? If yes, which ones? ABSOLUTELY. And, I also use social media to verify information about potential candidates. LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, you name it, I’ll use it. 6. What are your biggest pet peeves when it comes to job searchers approaching you? - Walking in to my office with an expectation to meet on the spot WITHOUT an appointment. - Constant phone calls and not leaving a message when they call. - Not utilizing my preferred method of contact (email) since I can respond faster to a candidate that way. 7. What are your top 3-5 automatic dis-qualifiers for a candidate? - Expecting a significant raise (more than 10%) for a new position. - Poor writing/grammar skills. - Poor in person presentation skills – sloppy appearance. - Negative attitude and willingness to bash former employers. 8. Top 3 reasons that job searchers should work with a recruiter? 1. We can brag about your strengths for you, and make you the humble and intelligent one. 2. We have been working the Arizona market for years, and know who to talk to, which companies are hiring, and what the hiring managers are looking for that isn’t on the job description. 3. When you apply to a posting online, it typically goes in to an HR repository. When I send a resume to a hiring manager, it is one of a select few, that goes in their inbox with a follow up phone call from me to discuss your personality and why you’re a good fit.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Knowing your audience is as important as showing up to the meeting. ~ Original quote Brenda M. Cunningham

Vaco Resources, www.vaco.com offers both contingent and retained searches. Their firm is very aggressive about staying in touch with their current clients as well as calling and meeting with prospective clients for additional opportunities. Often, former candidates call them with positions that they need assistance in filling. So occasionally they will have positions outside of Accounting and Finance. Amy can be contacted at acox@vaco.com.

Interview Questions: The Best and Worst Responses

brenda — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:57:09 +0000

OK, so I’ve told you before that I would blog on some of the interesting interview responses that I’ve heard personally and those shared with me from hiring and recruiting professionals. But no way will I stop there, I will of course give you some suggested responses to those tough questions as well.

Many potential clients ask me to update their resume since they’re not getting any offers, but then I take one look and see that it’s genuinely a good document and they are simply not interviewing well… here are some common questions, typical responses, and suggested responses to assist you. Try using these strategies during your next interview and let me know if it made a difference.

QUESTION #1 – Tell me about yourself…

Shared Response - I’m a Sagittarius and I love my children, I’ve always wanted to be a nurse, but in the mean time I’m doing what I have to do to keep an income coming in.

Suggested Response - Here, employers don’t actually care about what you want (per se) but they want to know why you think you’re a good fit at their establishment. Try something like “I’m a very out-going person, a great team player, and I’ve prepared myself for this opportunity by finishing my degree in Business (or whatever). I have worked in this industry for over 10 years and I’m excited for the new challenges that I’m sure your company, as an industry leader, will provide.”

QUESTION #2 – Tell me about a time when you were stressed out and how did you handle it?

Shared Response - Well when I was a stay at home mom, my kids always stressed me out so I had to ask my husband to take them for a while so I could recuperate.

Suggested Response - “During a particular project (name the project), as the team lead I was responsible for meeting critical deadlines and aggressive budget goals so as you can imagine it was quite stressful – so I put together a game plan including a timeline, resource allocation charts, and meeting agendas to ensure overall readiness.”

QUESTION #3 – Tell me about your biggest weakness

Shared Response - Well I’ve never had the opportunity to learn Word Processing software like MS Word, so I would say that’s my biggest weakness.

Suggested Response - Here you should only talk about something that you’ve already taken steps to overcome, or you may have already broken through. Never mention a weakness that’s still a weakness. You could say something like “ I felt out of touch with the newer word processing applications like MS Word, so I actually took a class at the Community College and now I’m quite proficient.”

In summary, be clear, be specific, and always incorporate examples that show how you achieved or overcame in a particular area. Job interviews are not the place to discuss your domestic challenges, no matter what type of connection you feel like you’ve made with your interviewer(s). Study your resume and review your job history and accomplishments before any interview to be as prepared as you can be.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

January 2012 Monthly E-Newsletter

brenda — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:19:11 +0000

Practical career related advice and specials, exclusively for ROYAL Resume Services valued clients and friends.

To view on your smartphone or browser
Click Here.

Managing Your Money During Job Transition...

As you can imagine I consult with tons of job seekers all of the time. One of the common things I hear from those that have been out of work for a significant amount of time is the struggle to keep income coming in. Some have managed to rely on unemployment income, some have allowed their homes to go into foreclosure, some have borrowed from their retirement accounts, and others have simply adjusted their lifestyle to compensate for their income status change.

I spoke with a representative at Edward Jones for some advice on what job transitioners could do to survive a moderate to lengthy transition and they had this to say… Check out the latest here.

For the Faith-Fueled Career Transitioner

It's Never Too Late

Even if it's been over a year without work, there is still hope. You are not alone, so much of our workforce has been out of the game for 1-2 years (or more) yet many of them are still landing desirable positions at reputable companies. So don't you give up either!!! Keep looking to the hills from whence cometh your help!

Resources For You

Just for you: There are a number of terrific financial resources available through our friends at Edward Jones Financial. Check them out here to stay informed on some money making strategies…Edward Jones Link.

Remember to be successful in this job climate
1. Have a great resume
2. Have a game plan
3. Have high expectations!

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For the $avvy $pender

1. Since We Know You've Made Resolutions This Year- For every customer who schedules an appointment between January 25th – February 4th, 2012, you will earn $25 off resume development (entry-level, professional, or executive). Take advantage of this VERY SPECIAL offer. * Voicemails will be honored, appointments must be completed by February 17th, 2012!

2. For Those That Would Rather Learn- Starting in March 2012, RRS will be providing Full-Blown Career Workshops at the Desert West Community Center in Phoenix, AZ. For a value price, you can learn to create your own customized resume, interview plan, job search strategy, and cover letter. More info coming soon.

3. The Referral Program is still in play. Some conditions apply, see official rules for more information.
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WHAT'S NEW

RRS Will Be providing a phenomenal job search strategy and resume writing workshop for the young ladies at the House of El-Elyon on Saturday Feb. 11th, 2012 from 10am – 2pm.

THANK YOU!

For reading this newsletter, see you next month for more great, relevant content.

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2/11/12 @ 10 – 2pm, Career Workshop Part I for the House of El-Elyon (Resource for pregnant teens)

brenda — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:54:11 +0000

2/11/12 @ 10 – 2pm, Career Workshop Part I for the House of El-Elyon (Resource for pregnant teens)

1/28/12 @ 12 – 2pm, RWCA Monthly Meeting

brenda — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:52:06 +0000

1/28/12 @ 12 – 2pm, RWCA Monthly Meeting

Managing Your Money During a Job Transition

brenda — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:34:16 +0000

I spoke with a representative at Edward Jones for some advice on what job transitioners could do to survive a moderate to lengthy transition and they had this to say, specifically with regard to borrowing from their 401(k):

Before you cash out your 401(k), make sure you understand what’s involved. Your former employer is required to withhold 20% of your account balance to prepay federal taxes. Also, all your 401(k) proceeds will be taxed as ordinary income. And if you’re under age 59½ when you liquidate your 401(k), you may also be subject to a 10 percent penalty. And worst of all, the money may not be available to you when you retire.

Obviously, if you have no other financial resources, you may have no choice but to tap into your 401(k) plan.

However, if you can find an alternative way to tide yourself over until you’re working again, you may be better off in the long run by not cashing in your plan.

If you decide against the “cash-out” option, what can you do with your 401(k)? Here are two possibilities:

Keep the money in your former employer’s plan. If your former employer permits it, you may able to leave your money in your 401(k). You won’t have to pay any immediate taxes, and your money can continue to grow tax deferred. But you may no longer be able to add funds to your account.
Roll your money over to an IRA. If you roll over your 401(k) assets to an IRA, you’ll avoid paying immediate taxes, and your money can continue to grow tax deferred. Furthermore, you can fund your IRA with many types of investments, as opposed to a 401(k), which may offer only a handful of choices. And when you can afford it, you can make additional contributions to your IRA. Also, when you retire, you may find that an IRA gives you more flexibility in making withdrawals than a 401(k).

In summary, saving while you have steady income is still the best policy, no matter how much you are able to save. However if you have already found yourself in a hard situation, 401K borrowing may be a tough yet necessary choice for you and your family. Just remember, that this will impact your retirement goals and should be used with caution. Continue to believe God for your provision and He will open the windows of heaven.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.

*Brenda M. Cunningham is not a financial advisor and the financial advice provided here was via the web articles of Edward Jones, if you need clarification, please contact Edward Jones https://www.edwardjones.com/en_US/financial_focus/articles or your personal financial consultant.