Last night, I attended a job networking event at a neighborhood church. Information and advice given by "job transition" consultants included the following:
1. 82% of jobs are not posted. Good ole boy networks still exist.
2. HR won't help you get a job. Only five applicants for one job are usually interviewed. Most resumes are filed in the trash can.
3. Have a marketing plan for yourself. Always list accomplishments on your resume. Large companies scan resumes into computers which search for key words. Most resumes are not read by people.
4. Senior level managers are the only ones to talk to about your opportunity value to the company.
5. Some job networking event presenters are out of work themselves and trying to make a living by giving advice on surviving through "transition" or are retired executives who are "paying it forward."
6. Jobs posted on boards are like vaporware and are often just an advertising ploy. People are seldom hired at job fairs.
7. Cold calls can work if you can talk to a senior executive and can prove you will add value to the company's bottom line.
8. Age, race, and sex still are key factors in hiring decisions.
9. Networking and having technical skills are important. Manage your career by using social media.
10. People who can "make money" or solve problems are in high demand.
What about government sponsored career centers?
What benchmarks and results are acceptable? How does the U.S. Dept. of Labor gauge career center's successes?
National career centers are placed under the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA. Information on centers can be accessed by going to: http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/training/onestop.htm.
According to the website, "One-Stop Career Centers are designed to provide a full range of assistance to job seekers under one roof. Established under the Workforce Investment Act (1998), the centers offer training referrals, career counseling, job listings, and similar employment-related services. Customers can visit a center in person or connect to the center's information through PC or kiosk remote access."
To view the full Act, go to: http://www.doleta.gov/regs/statutes/wialaw.txt.
Personal Experience: Although I have never gotten a job through working with the Dept. of Labor, I still went to the career center last week after receiving a letter from President Obama recommending that I do so. The assistant was very nice, but she referred me to a 6 hour per week job which required a Master's degree in Library Science which I do not have. The other job she referred me to has not returned my calls.
I think it is now time for the government to give us some statistics as to how their employees are helping the unemployed land jobs. Stop blaming corporate America and small business....what is our tax-funded government doing to really help? What is their success rate? If it's not at 85%, those in charge should be fired!!!! How will the success of Career Centers be improved if the Jobs Bill is passed, and how do their managers measure their success?
It would be nice to get some clear answers on this topic...if only I had a ticket to Manhattan and a tent!
©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.
Most of what is written above is accurate and timely; however, I would recommend that you check your "social media" sites to ensure they are not adding to your inability to get a job.
ReplyDeleteAl Smith of Transition Compass® wrote: The "Good Ole Boy" network does still exist, but can often be circumvented by presenting oneself as an opportunity vs. a risk by going to the top and focusing on how YOUR accomplishments satisfy THEIR corporate needs. Resumes are not filed in a trash can...but they might as well be. A list of keywords should be listed under the job description. About 1/3 of posted jobs are 'vaporware' with another 1/3 posted, but to be filled with internal applicants leaving about 1/3 of 18% of the total market shared between recruiters and the rest of the world. Accomplishments, accomplishments, accomplishments. REAL hiring authorities seek value...or should I say, the highest possible return on their investment. Consider what it is "costing you" to be out of a job versus the cost of hiring a GOOD job coach. If you were making $60,000, every week you are NOT making over $1150...plus your cost of living...a GOOD job coach can help shave months off your search.
ReplyDeleteWhatever your life's work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better. This is definitely a nice post. Great works. Thanks for sharing with all of us.Keep posting more.
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Whatever your life's work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.
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