The Job Search Rules

The Job Search Rules

I have covered a great deal of material related to getting hired or promoted on this blog. One thing I feel I must share is an article I wrote for ezinearticles about 16 months ago called Cover Letter - Volunteer Magic.

It talks to the importance of bringing your volunteer work to the forefront in your cover letter and thus your resume. The article has been read almost 2,000 times or about 4 times a day, everyday.

It obviously is resonating with people and when time permits I would encourage you to read it if you haven't already seen it. It would appear to be one of the more important job search rules to keep in mind.

Cover Letter - Volunteer Magic

Twitter Rules

If there's one thing you should do going into 2009 I hope it's to start really exploring Social Media. To that end I hope you'll start with a site called Twitter if you aren't already. Go there & explore, it's a wealth of networking with terrific people. And really very different from Facebook.

I can't sell you on all the benefits, that's something we all experience in our own way. Anyway I do hope to see you there and hey, don't forget to say hello.

Mike Perras, P.Mgr
twitter.com/mikeperras

Taking Your Job Skills To The Next Level

Most of my focus has been on helping give you the extra tools to write the best cover letter possible, know what's expected on a resume, and knowing how to best prepare for the job interview.

But I always get emails from people who already have jobs looking to improve their current skills to give them an edge should there be another round of downsizing. And based on the economy of late, I'd say there's a pretty good chance another downsizing period is well underway right now.

So what skills do I need to have to stay marketable?

How about skills like these for starters:

- Increase your reading speed to over 25,000+ words per minute!
- Increase your peripheral vision and awareness
- Dramatically improve your concentration and focus
- Boost your self esteem and self confidence
- Reduce stress and become much more relaxed
- Become much more organized and effective
- Save a ton of time which can give you the freedom do more with your family and friends

I was just doing some research and thought you might like to see what this company has to offer:

THE ZOX TRAINING SYSTEM

Best Always,

Mike Perras, P.Mgr

Let Nepotism Be Your Friend

First off, I think we all agree that we hate any form of nepotism or patronage. That is of course unless it's working for you and then well .. we just look the other way.

When it comes to nepotism and getting hired, we've all NOT got the job or contract because of someone else who knew someone who in turn knew someone.

So, how can I make nepotism work for me? Pretty easy actually.

Firstly, embrace Wayne Dyer's quote "when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change" I mean completely embrace it. We need to change how we think of nepotism. You need to make nepotism your friend or else you will be forever on the outside. "change the way you look at things .... " start right now!

The truth is, we all know people. We all do. Make it your goal to tell them what you want. Let the universe hear you say it out loud to everyone you know & who cares what they think, get your desires out there, get them out there LARGE.

Put your ego in the crapper man, ego is your worst nightmare, holding you back from all the good stuff out there.

Now, tell your friends, I WANT A JOB, I WANT THAT CONTRACT! Yeah but what will they think of me "who gives a crappola anyway" .. get the message out there and then just let it go .. but you have to take that first step and be clear about what you actually want.

It's a call to action .. like Nike says "Just Do It" .. no truer words are now needed in these horrid market conditions. It's not going to get any better for awhile. Make your desires for That Job, That Contract clearly known.

The friends you tell, will tell people etc ... and the social media channel will start working for you immediately ... this is nepotism 101 or like insider trading.

Ok Ok I was ranting a bit .... but really, just get out there & talk to your family, your buds anyone. It will come back to you sooner than you think. Ok done, more coffee!

To Your Job Search Success,

Mike Perras, P.Mgr

The Job Interview – Be The Real You!

I’ve probably said this before. Today, HR is no longer looking for anything that resembles a template, either in your cover letter or having template or pat like answers for your interview questions. Today, recruiters are looking for REAL people more than ever. To be REAL the solution is amazingly simple and still difficult. The solution is to be yourself, not what you expect they want to hear, but who the REAL you is. It’ll always come through that you are being sincere, genuine and thus a REAL person. REAL people make mistakes. They laugh and get nervous and say I’m sorry can repeat that question. You are not perfect, stop trying to be.

All that said does not allow you to go in to an interview totally REAL and yet unprepared. You still very much need to rehearse your answers so that you do sound REAL and properly express what you know is already in your head, just not completely comfortable yet, when spoken in sentences, in front of unforgiving strangers. Easy thoughts flow in your head no problem, but when asked to express it, well .. we all tense up and become really bad communicators and yet, in our everyday lives we express ourselves pretty well. In the interview you can do very well also, it just takes practice.

Stop assuming you don’t need to rehearse out loud. I’m also not suggesting some totally concocted answer that isn’t really you at all, but just finding the best words to use when actually saying exactly what you want said. It still needs to be the REAL you behind the words.

I consult people by phone regularly who want to practice their interview skills. Sometimes you only have a 20 minute interview and they may never see you again. Practice what you truly want to say & do it out loud every chance you get, it’s a terrific confidence builder. And just when you find you’ve really nailed a question with a well thought out answer be prepared for them to say “Can you give us an example of that” Be prepared that they could ask for an example after any answer you give.

Just a few more thoughts to consider in your job search success plan. If you haven't yet joined my newsletter, I do hope you will today.