"I'll send that to you right now!"
Famous last words before I discover that my two-page resume is actually four pages ugly ... and I mean U G L Y !!!
When I send out my resume, I actually send out two. I have an executive summary version (thanks Marla!) and the standard detailed version for recruiters. On my computer in MS Word, it looks fabulous. I'll typically send the .PDF version so the formatting is retained regardless of printer settings. Unfortunately, I had to come through with an MS Word file NOT Acrobat. I thought there would be no problem. I turned around the request within five minutes.
About a minute later, the recipient tells me my name is missing from the top and it's more pages than I originally intended. It didn't matter that it looked fabulous on my computer/printer. I ended up sending to about five girlfriends. All of them had problems printing out my resume. Swell.
Understand that I have over 20 years experience with MS Word and consider myself an expert. It took me three hours to debug the problem. THREE HOURS! That's ridiculous.
What I learned
As soon as someone comes out with a far superior word processing software offering, I'm there. Until then, I get to suck it up, buck up and figure it out.
Before I send any document to anyone, send it to myself. Upon receipt, read it using Google Docs (a lifesaving application in my book). What I figured out was my document was over formatted. By this I mean I had styles I no longer use and outdated fonts. In order for the resumes to fit on one page each, I had to perform some serious text wrangling. The solution: Cut the entire document sans the last paragraph marker and paste into a shiny new MS Word document and reformat from scratch.
I had to mess with the template organizer, modify/delete old styles, ensure Adobe TrueType fonts were used, reset defaults, all that stuff. Long story short, I had to completely reformat the document without adjusting any character spacing, kerning, etc. It all came down to the font.
Once formatted and reworded to eliminate widows and orphans, everything was fine. But what a pain in the butt!
I LOVE TECHNOLOGY but wish it wasn't as complex as Microsoft software product offerings. Back in the day, I could call Microsoft and expect to speak with an expert to solve problems. But Bill Gates wasn't getting paid well enough so he came up with a pay-as-you-go customer help model that effectively killed any chance of me getting helped.
But so what. I figured it out. I'm over it. Next ...
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Hunting methodology madness
Things are looking up for PR/Marcom professionals like me. However, the trick is to figure out how to navigate through a virtual ocean of opportunities. The biggest challenge for everyone: It's an employer's market. The market is so saturated with candidates that employers can pick and choose from the cream of the crop.
For candidates, it's tough out there. There are almost too many ways to find a job.
Headhunters
God bless them all. They have a tough job. They have to first negotiate their finder's fee then find the perfect candidate. Word on the street is that since 2000, employers want 10/10 qualifications for any given position. Even if a candidate has nine and some stellar value-add, they won't even look at the resume.
The other conundrum is if you previously have applied for any job directly through the employer, in most cases, the headhunter can't provide the resume. Terrific. My current job, "Career Seeking Manager," is applying for jobs everywhere there's a decent lead but I may have shot myself in the foot if my headhunter thinks I'm a perfect fit for a job at, e.g., Applied Materials, but can't submit my resume because I already applied for a different job. Wonderful.
Search Engines
In 2000 they were all the rage and today, they seem to be a shadow of their former selves. They want to charge for higher visibility in searches -- however that works -- and they also charge employers subscriptions worth $10k per year to search their database. One headhunter told me not to bother with Monster because fewer peers use, much less recommend, Monster for their candidate search needs.
Why do Monster, Career Builder and others expect me to pay to play particularly when there are all kinds of places like headhunters who will do it for free (at least it's free to me)? First of all, I'm out of work, which means I have zero discretionary funds. Besides. I'd rather spend the money on business cards for networking events than job board databases. I can get the lead for free and apply to the company directly. No money involved.
But here lies my biggest pet peeve: Duplicity. I don't mean to pick on Monster but they were the most frustrating. I had to enter my information twice for two different profile formats. Unless or until I did that, my profile was incomplete. It made absolutely zero sense but I sucked it up and just did it. I think I spent three hours on that board alone compared to about 30 minutes on Career Builder. What is that about?
Corporate profiles
I must confess that of all the companies accepting resumes electronically, I liked Intel's best. I spent, at most, 20 minutes answering questions, providing relevant information, etc. The toughest was HP.
What through me for a loop when I applied for a commercial marketing position at HP was the ever popular interview question, "Tell us what distinguishes you from other candidates." Keep in mind it was among the first jobs I applied for. I saved my application as a draft right then and came back with an answer the next day. I didn't adequately prepare for interview questions just yet and certainly didn't expect one while submitting my resume for consideration. Intel didn't ask that question though I'm ready to answer it today thanks to a nudge from HP.
What I love most about this job search is I don't have to buy reams of bond paper, envelopes and stamps. It's all electronic so I get to help save a forest or two. The downside of that is it's easier to hit the delete key than merely throw away a paper resume.
Networking
You've heard that some of the best jobs are the ones that aren't advertised but networked? Honestly, I know very few people who have their jobs because they networked with a former colleague, friend of a colleague or college professor.
That said, I ordered my business cards and am ready to network my butt off at any mixer or job fair. BTW, I designed my own business cards and they look fabulous. Man I'm good.
Logic vs. intuition
The job search climate is more robotic than it should be. Intuition seems to have taken a back seat to logic. Logic has it's place in the process but intuition and raw talent are what drives Silicon Valley. Of course, no one wants to work with a qualified curmudgeon. Human factors such as intuition must be restored to human resources. Technology is certainly relevant when it comes to recruiting. However, no database can determine how well a candidate fits into the mix of personalities.
For candidates, it's tough out there. There are almost too many ways to find a job.
Headhunters
God bless them all. They have a tough job. They have to first negotiate their finder's fee then find the perfect candidate. Word on the street is that since 2000, employers want 10/10 qualifications for any given position. Even if a candidate has nine and some stellar value-add, they won't even look at the resume.
The other conundrum is if you previously have applied for any job directly through the employer, in most cases, the headhunter can't provide the resume. Terrific. My current job, "Career Seeking Manager," is applying for jobs everywhere there's a decent lead but I may have shot myself in the foot if my headhunter thinks I'm a perfect fit for a job at, e.g., Applied Materials, but can't submit my resume because I already applied for a different job. Wonderful.
Search Engines
In 2000 they were all the rage and today, they seem to be a shadow of their former selves. They want to charge for higher visibility in searches -- however that works -- and they also charge employers subscriptions worth $10k per year to search their database. One headhunter told me not to bother with Monster because fewer peers use, much less recommend, Monster for their candidate search needs.
Why do Monster, Career Builder and others expect me to pay to play particularly when there are all kinds of places like headhunters who will do it for free (at least it's free to me)? First of all, I'm out of work, which means I have zero discretionary funds. Besides. I'd rather spend the money on business cards for networking events than job board databases. I can get the lead for free and apply to the company directly. No money involved.
But here lies my biggest pet peeve: Duplicity. I don't mean to pick on Monster but they were the most frustrating. I had to enter my information twice for two different profile formats. Unless or until I did that, my profile was incomplete. It made absolutely zero sense but I sucked it up and just did it. I think I spent three hours on that board alone compared to about 30 minutes on Career Builder. What is that about?
Corporate profiles
I must confess that of all the companies accepting resumes electronically, I liked Intel's best. I spent, at most, 20 minutes answering questions, providing relevant information, etc. The toughest was HP.
What through me for a loop when I applied for a commercial marketing position at HP was the ever popular interview question, "Tell us what distinguishes you from other candidates." Keep in mind it was among the first jobs I applied for. I saved my application as a draft right then and came back with an answer the next day. I didn't adequately prepare for interview questions just yet and certainly didn't expect one while submitting my resume for consideration. Intel didn't ask that question though I'm ready to answer it today thanks to a nudge from HP.
What I love most about this job search is I don't have to buy reams of bond paper, envelopes and stamps. It's all electronic so I get to help save a forest or two. The downside of that is it's easier to hit the delete key than merely throw away a paper resume.
Networking
You've heard that some of the best jobs are the ones that aren't advertised but networked? Honestly, I know very few people who have their jobs because they networked with a former colleague, friend of a colleague or college professor.
That said, I ordered my business cards and am ready to network my butt off at any mixer or job fair. BTW, I designed my own business cards and they look fabulous. Man I'm good.
Logic vs. intuition
The job search climate is more robotic than it should be. Intuition seems to have taken a back seat to logic. Logic has it's place in the process but intuition and raw talent are what drives Silicon Valley. Of course, no one wants to work with a qualified curmudgeon. Human factors such as intuition must be restored to human resources. Technology is certainly relevant when it comes to recruiting. However, no database can determine how well a candidate fits into the mix of personalities.
For example, if during the course of interviews my gut is screams "GET OUT," then it's a firm handshake and "Good day to you." However, if a friendly, collaborative, respectful atmosphere is clearly evident after meeting with hiring managers, team members, etc., I'm there.
Some of the best candidates and most successful employees do not have all the qualifications but have energy, enthusiasm and a commitment to lifelong learning. There are plenty of us who are eager to learn something new.
There's a creative in all of us. Once we learn something new, innovation explodes and best practice thrives. This is the epicenter of innovation. Not everyone knows a new technology but most can pick it up quickly and run with it.
Whatever happened to the entrepreneurial spirit? When my father was among the Silicon Valley pioneers, there was a real camaraderie, boldness and flexibility when it came to new hires. If you didn't have all of the qualifications, maybe only seven out of ten, but had boat loads of enthusiasm and a willingness to learn something new, you were seriously considered and, in many cases, got hired.
Can we please get back to our core values, i.e., marketplace of innovation. Employers, please invent a better way to find the right candidates so we can get back to work.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The sport that is Job Hunting
I love ocean fishing, deep-sea especially.
I remember fishing on the pier at Santa Cruz with my father and grandparents. We'd catch tons of little King fish, starfish if you left the line in the water long enough and, of course, crabbing.
Later, my father bought a 17' Boston Whaler. The cool factor was definitely a 10+. Once out of the harbor it was full steam ahead breaking waves, leaving a wake, wind in my face and through my hair, smelling that sweet sea air, staring at the beautiful coastline. Awesome!
The bait was usually the same: bloodworms, squid, anchovies, etc. Typically, you needed a lure for catching a prized salmon. After the fog burned off, the sun was very warm and you had your very own personal paradise in the middle of the quiet Monterey Bay. Priceless.
The old school job hunt
Hunting for a job used to be much like fishing. Put together the same old resume (bait), with the predictable job descriptors and standard references (rod and reel), etc. So imagine my surprise when I decided to re-enter the workforce after being gone for six years.
The cold shower
The environment completely changed. Not only was the bait totally different, recruiters expect accomplishments, highlights, awards, publications, execute, execute, execute, results, results, results!!!!!! It's enough to make one recharge their pacemaker, fasten seat belts and return seats to their upright position.
My career is marked not by a learning curve but a vertical line. Why walk around the hot coals when I can walk through them? Story of my life: Perseverance, overcome obstacles, just get it done with style, flair and a cherry on top.
21st Century hunting and gathering
Suddenly, it's not enough to have a resume. Oh heck no. If you're a communications professional like me, you instantly realize that, unlike an engineer, I'm being graded on my resume style, presentation, wordsmithing, everything. I don't know a single engineer who is worried about their resume except to include relevant experience and some accomplishments. For communicators, there better be zero typos.
Today, communications pros like me have to make their resume sing like Luciano Pavarotti in his prime. I'm a tenor also so I'm shooting for a Beverly Sills-like performance. Remember the famous line in Jaws, "We need a bigger boat"? Well, I needed a bigger, more savvy online and offline presence.
Tossed into the sea of job seekers, I was expected to part the Red Sea and walk on water. I learned instantly that it's not enough to have a cell phone and e-mail address.
Just when I thought I was done with my detailed resume, an old boss who I love to pieces, sent me a resume sample and said, "less words, more like this one." Aw crap. I gotta write yet another version of my resume.
It was the best thing I ever did. It's an executive-level resume that cuts through all the crap and gets to the point. Now I send both. One for the recruiter, the other for the hiring manager.
But wait, there's more!
I had to polish my LinkedIn profile, create a high-end digital portfolio, get an attention-grabbing e-mail ID and today, I was reminded I have to get business cards PRONTO! I attended a networking coffee this morning and completely forgot I need that vital marketing tool. I also need to develop five- and 30-second elevator pitches as well as more detailed 1-/3-/5-minute pitches. I also need to find the toughest interview questions possible and craft then memorize outstanding answers.
Ah, yes, clear out the cobwebs and get to it.
Did I mention that no one is paying attention to Monster or Career Builder boards any more? Naive as I was, I started there and soon learned not to waste much time on those boards. LinkedIn is the new Monster for job-seeking pros like me. But that's not enough.
I need people to recommend me. You mean I have to find former coworkers and ask them to write a recommendation? Okay, cool! I love a challenge but what this really means is I have to draft the recommendations and send them to people to post on my LinkedIn page. Of course, I'll return the favor and write them a recommendation, but I have to be sure they also are on LinkedIn NOT Plaxo.
LinkedIn ain't enough either
If you think just having a LinkedIn account is enough, think again. Join as many professional groups on LinkedIn as possible. Those groups have TONS of job leads nationwide.
But don't stop there. Facebook and Twitter accounts. Yeah, I said it. I have hundreds of friends on Facebook and post daily. However, the security on that account is tighter than Fort Knox. You can't find the account if you searched for it. Imagine my dismay when my old boss said I needed those accounts also.
Rather than complain, I got my feces coagulated. I created new Facebook and Twitter accounts just for job searching, i.e., Emiliana PRstrategist Martin and @ResultsDiva respectively. Ya see, I wasn't going to shoot myself in the foot and not have those available for recruiters and investigators to find.
I protect my personal information by creating a professional presence on what are now mission-critical job search tools. I post professional topics and comment professionally.
So, in summary, job hunting is hell but the rewards are awesome. Bring it, baby!
From the trenches,
e
PS You might want to consider starting your own blog if you're in communications.
I remember fishing on the pier at Santa Cruz with my father and grandparents. We'd catch tons of little King fish, starfish if you left the line in the water long enough and, of course, crabbing.
Later, my father bought a 17' Boston Whaler. The cool factor was definitely a 10+. Once out of the harbor it was full steam ahead breaking waves, leaving a wake, wind in my face and through my hair, smelling that sweet sea air, staring at the beautiful coastline. Awesome!
The bait was usually the same: bloodworms, squid, anchovies, etc. Typically, you needed a lure for catching a prized salmon. After the fog burned off, the sun was very warm and you had your very own personal paradise in the middle of the quiet Monterey Bay. Priceless.
The old school job hunt
Hunting for a job used to be much like fishing. Put together the same old resume (bait), with the predictable job descriptors and standard references (rod and reel), etc. So imagine my surprise when I decided to re-enter the workforce after being gone for six years.
The cold shower
The environment completely changed. Not only was the bait totally different, recruiters expect accomplishments, highlights, awards, publications, execute, execute, execute, results, results, results!!!!!! It's enough to make one recharge their pacemaker, fasten seat belts and return seats to their upright position.
My career is marked not by a learning curve but a vertical line. Why walk around the hot coals when I can walk through them? Story of my life: Perseverance, overcome obstacles, just get it done with style, flair and a cherry on top.
21st Century hunting and gathering
Suddenly, it's not enough to have a resume. Oh heck no. If you're a communications professional like me, you instantly realize that, unlike an engineer, I'm being graded on my resume style, presentation, wordsmithing, everything. I don't know a single engineer who is worried about their resume except to include relevant experience and some accomplishments. For communicators, there better be zero typos.
Today, communications pros like me have to make their resume sing like Luciano Pavarotti in his prime. I'm a tenor also so I'm shooting for a Beverly Sills-like performance. Remember the famous line in Jaws, "We need a bigger boat"? Well, I needed a bigger, more savvy online and offline presence.
Tossed into the sea of job seekers, I was expected to part the Red Sea and walk on water. I learned instantly that it's not enough to have a cell phone and e-mail address.
Just when I thought I was done with my detailed resume, an old boss who I love to pieces, sent me a resume sample and said, "less words, more like this one." Aw crap. I gotta write yet another version of my resume.
It was the best thing I ever did. It's an executive-level resume that cuts through all the crap and gets to the point. Now I send both. One for the recruiter, the other for the hiring manager.
But wait, there's more!
I had to polish my LinkedIn profile, create a high-end digital portfolio, get an attention-grabbing e-mail ID and today, I was reminded I have to get business cards PRONTO! I attended a networking coffee this morning and completely forgot I need that vital marketing tool. I also need to develop five- and 30-second elevator pitches as well as more detailed 1-/3-/5-minute pitches. I also need to find the toughest interview questions possible and craft then memorize outstanding answers.
Ah, yes, clear out the cobwebs and get to it.
Did I mention that no one is paying attention to Monster or Career Builder boards any more? Naive as I was, I started there and soon learned not to waste much time on those boards. LinkedIn is the new Monster for job-seeking pros like me. But that's not enough.
I need people to recommend me. You mean I have to find former coworkers and ask them to write a recommendation? Okay, cool! I love a challenge but what this really means is I have to draft the recommendations and send them to people to post on my LinkedIn page. Of course, I'll return the favor and write them a recommendation, but I have to be sure they also are on LinkedIn NOT Plaxo.
LinkedIn ain't enough either
If you think just having a LinkedIn account is enough, think again. Join as many professional groups on LinkedIn as possible. Those groups have TONS of job leads nationwide.
But don't stop there. Facebook and Twitter accounts. Yeah, I said it. I have hundreds of friends on Facebook and post daily. However, the security on that account is tighter than Fort Knox. You can't find the account if you searched for it. Imagine my dismay when my old boss said I needed those accounts also.
Rather than complain, I got my feces coagulated. I created new Facebook and Twitter accounts just for job searching, i.e., Emiliana PRstrategist Martin and @ResultsDiva respectively. Ya see, I wasn't going to shoot myself in the foot and not have those available for recruiters and investigators to find.
I protect my personal information by creating a professional presence on what are now mission-critical job search tools. I post professional topics and comment professionally.
So, in summary, job hunting is hell but the rewards are awesome. Bring it, baby!
From the trenches,
e
PS You might want to consider starting your own blog if you're in communications.
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