Get Outside!

Too often I talk with people asking tons of questions, revising their resume 500 times, stressing about their interview or stuck for new ideas.

Get outside! Go roam around your local community, find some local networking events to attend or go to a chamber of commerce luncheon. If you are inside all day, your competition is going to beat you every time. You are competing for a job against some pretty smart people out there. Get out and make some personal contacts.

The old saying: "It's not what you know it's who you know" is partly true. People will refer you into their company and help you get a job if they know you. It's your major advantage! Who do you know? Go out and have lunch with them today.

Till next time. Good luck! Scott.

The Waiting Game

I get lots of questions on how long to wait for a response after a resume submission, after an interview or a second interview etc. Here are some good guidelines to help you time your communications:

Submitting a resume: Submit your resume the instant you see a new posting. Do not wait one more second, you want to be first in line and consideration.

Confirming receipt of your resume: After you submit your resume, wait two days then start calling HR or the hiring manager to confirm receipt. Try the first day and if you get someone, or leave a message, sneak in a short commercial about yourself. "Hello, This is ___ and I submitted my resume two days ago regarding the x position. I have 5 years of ___ experience and believe I would be a great fit for you position. I would love to discuss this opportunity with you, please give me a call at your earliest convenience."

Leaving more messages: Leave a message with your contacts every three to four days until they call you back or give you a time line for follow up. 80% of the time you will get the "brush off" by them saying "We'll call you." Be polite and courteous though keep calling about every 4-5 days anyway after the brush off. You will get a more concrete answer sooner if you keep yourself in their minds.

After your First interview: Send a mailed or e-mailed thank you letter early the next morning and follow up with a call after two days. Simply ask for the progress on the position/other interviews/feedback and when you might be able to come in to meet more people for a second interview.

After the Second Interview: Call every 3-4 days to check in and to stress your interest plus to reinforce your fit for the position.

HR vs. Recruiters: HR folks are trained to get you off the phone quickly while Recruiters may give you a straighter answer and may tolerate more follow up calls from you.

Stay positive, courteous and respect everyone's time though be persistent and you will not fall through the cracks. Candidates who consistently follow up get to the finish line faster and more often.

Till next time. Good luck! Scott

Networking - Using your contacts

Networking to find a new job is one of your best tools. You have tons of friends, former work colleagues and contacts in the local community that want to help you succeed. You need to start making a list of all those people then call each and every one. Tell everyone that you are looking for a great new position and be specific. You will trigger 1,000% more leads if you say "I am looking for a new Sales Manager job in Industrial Products" other than "I'm looking for something maybe in sales, not sure what I want to do."

Develop a short script if you like to get into the practice of calling people, catching up and then asking them if they know of any great companies or other people in your field that you can network with. Ask them who they know is great around town and a great networking source as well. Your goal is to find all the good companies in town, not necessarily just the ones that your friends think are hiring at this time. Your call and lead list should mushroom quickly.

Call your friends, take them out for lunch one on one and ask them for some advice and LEADS.

Till next time. Good Luck! Scott

New Website Updates

Check out all the new updates to FreeJobSearchHelp.com! I have added hundreds of real work from home job opportunities (Under the "Work From Home" section), links to the most popular online job boards and resume services right on the home page plus more answers to tough questions (Under "Your Career Questions Answered").

Check back weekly for more updates and click all around!

Till next time. Good luck! Scott