The world’s favorite season is the spring.
All things seem possible in May.
– Edwin Way Teale
With all things seeming possible in this month of glorious spring weather, I have a proposition for you, instead of the standard Newsletter.
I am writing a book, tentatively titled “Finding a Job in a Challenging Economy: A Recruiter’s Guide to Success.” My recent appearances on Fox 2 Detroit’s “Job Shop” have given me a springboard for reaching out to a broad audience and I’m taking advantage of the opportunity!
Since I wouldn’t be in business if all of you weren’t in business, I am turning to you as my Panel of Experts with a very important request. I am hoping you will take five minutes out of your busy schedules to think back, and write down a short (3 or 4 sentences would do it!) reply to these questions:
A) What have been some creative things you have done during your job search that you felt “landed the job” for you?
Traditionally people look for a job by posting their resume on line or looking at the classifieds. What are some more creative strategies you have used while you were job-hunting?
Some examples are: a woman I know who volunteered at a Chamber of Commerce while she was in between jobs. She ended up meeting a lot of people she wouldn’t otherwise have been introduced to, and was offered a job by someone who was affiliated with the Chamber. Also, I knew a person who attended an association for her particular profession (she happened to be a purchasing professional), and became acquainted with some members who introduced her to the person who ended up hiring her!
and B) What are some real life examples of things job candidates have done that either sold you on the candidate or were instant turn-offs?
As an example, one executive assistant I’ve worked with remembers walking into a boutique employment agency many years ago with the look and can-do attitude of a professional. The owner of the agency, never having seen her before, pointed at her and said “I have a job for you!”
On the opposite end of the coin, a candidate once called me three times en route to our interview, arrived late and smelling of cigarettes, then upbraided me for giving her ‘bad directions.’ Needless to say that interview didn’t yield any fruit for either of us.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to think about this, and to share your experiences with me. I look forward to hearing from as many of you as possible!
Implicit in your response will be the understanding that I may include your experience (verbatim or paraphrased) in the book, and your response will imply your approval to do so.