How to Troubleshoot Your Job Search Problems plus 1 more | Career Rocketeer

How to Troubleshoot Your Job Search Problems

Posted: 26 May 2011 03:30 AM PDT

Job search can feel like a lonely process. It's definitely not a group activity; and you can't be very breath taking at a party when you discuss how many applications you've sent. It's even tougher when you aren't getting the results you expect and you don't really know what to do to solve your problem.
You also have few people to tap into to help you figure out what's gone wrong. Solving this problem is more than simply updating your resume again, which isn't really targeting your actions toward a solution.
In order to truly take action that will matter, you have to look at job search as the process it is. As with all processes, it has some inherent characteristics which most job seekers don't realize. The primary characteristic is that it's a numbers game and every job seeker needs to be tracking their activities to know where the break down in the process is taking place. Once you can see where the break down occurs, you can develop a targeted, well thought out corrective action. Think of this like a car manufacturing assembly line. If the 4th step in the process is observing scratches on the car, you know it has to be taking place after the chassis is put on and before step 4. That allows you to go directly to those steps to see what the problem is. Let me demonstrate this in real job-search terms.
In order to get 1 job offer, you need about 9 interviews. As with all averages, that number is high for some and low for others. For example, sales positions usually require fewer interviews and administrative jobs require more. Sales positions are harder to fill, so when job seekers get to an interview, they will most likely get an offer. It's supply and demand.
Let's say you've interviewed 12 times and have yet to receive an interview. Unless people for your type of job grow on trees, you have a problem in the interview. It has nothing to do with your resume. It also has nothing to do with your job-search methods; because it's clearly yielding you interview invitations. Knowing this allows you to target your solutions to the dynamic around the interview.
Let me give you a set of targets to keep your eye on and possible solutions if you go "out of range" for the target:
Offers

Target: 3 offers to get 1 acceptable offer.
Problem Threshold: Maximum 5.
Possible Solutions
- Reevaluate your salary expectations; they may be off for the market and position you are pursuing.
- Rethink the positions/jobs you are pursuing; they may be wrong for you.

Interviews to yield an offer

Target: 9 interviews to yield 1 offer.
Problem Threshold: Maximum 12.
Possible Solutions:
- Practice interviewing skills; you may not be answering the questions well.
- Reevaluate how you present your assets. Answer the question: "Why You?"
- Check your attitude and behavior; you may not be coming across as "like-able"/connecting with the decision makers.
- Check your appearance; dress for success.
- There is a mismatch in your qualifications that wasn't detected until interviewing, i.e., "resume drift."

High-quality contacts (screen or referral) to yield an interview:

Target: This can vary, but you should target 5; then track your results and adjust.
Problem Threshold: No more than 8.
Possible solutions:
- Practice presenting yourself; you aren't presenting yourself or direction well.
- The contacts aren't that high quality or qualified; they may not able to extend an interview invitation or aren't in the sphere of influence to the ultimate decision maker.
- Be clear with your network; you may have been unclear about the type of person to whom you want to be introduced.

You might notice that you are creating a pyramid of activity:
Job you desire = 1
Offers to get that job = 3
Interviews to get 3 offers = 27
High-quality contacts to get 27 interviews = 216
I hope this puts the picture of your job search into a clearer view. It is a numbers game for you just like it is for the businesses. Larger companies track these same types of statistics so they can troubleshoot their hiring process in a similar fashion. Obviously, they track different things, but for them it still all leads to that job offer which someone will accept.
Your job search is personal, but it's still a process. Like all processes, you have to understand each of the working parts and how each part is likely to break down. Then, if you're paying attention to your process, you can adjust the part that isn't working. You will be in greater control and feel much more confident with all your job search efforts.
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Author:
Dorothy Tannahill-Moran is a Career Coach and expert on helping her clients achieve their goals. Her programs cover: Career growth and enhancement, Career Change, Retirement Alternatives and Job Search Strategy. Want to discover specific career change strategies that get results? Discover how by claiming your FREE gift, Career Makeover Toolkit at: http://CareerMakeoverToolKitShouldIstayorShouldIGo.com

Find a Job or Make a Job?

Posted: 25 May 2011 03:30 AM PDT

As people are having difficulties finding new jobs in today’s job market, many are opting for self-employment. They look for ways to create a living out of their own skills and initiative rather than waiting to be hired by some employer.
For many, it’s a viable alternative. For many others, it can turn into a disaster.
Is going into business for yourself the answer?
Maybe… or maybe not. Here are some observations and things to consider…
It’s not for everyone! As with my own experience when I first went out on my own… it’s not usually the way you think it will be! I had been in the recruiting business for 18 years with a great deal of success prior to opening up shop on my own. My first few months were terrible as I enjoyed my independence and setting my own schedule. It’s great to have flexibility, however, the lack of expectations from anyone else led to very little real work getting done on my part. While I thought I had a lot of self-discipline as an employee, I found I didn’t apply the same work ethic when I was my own boss! After a time, I realized that if I didn’t buckle down, I would lose everything.
Not everyone has the self-discipline to schedule their own day as well as someone else might schedule it. If you’re someone that needs a traditional employment structure to be as productive as you can, then self-employment may not be for you. It can certainly be learned, and many people adapt easily, however, it’s important to be very aware that it will be different. Even if you’ve been in a job where you worked very independently, it will be different when no one else has expectations about your performance other than you.
What would you do? The possibilities are endless. However, not everything can pay the bills. Taking the time to figure out what you would do, and how much you could/would earn is crucial. Knowing what you want to, or can do is the start.
Ask yourself questions…

Would you do the same kind of work you’ve done as an employee for someone else?
Would you build a business out of a hobby or interest?
Would the work be seasonal or year-long?
Would it require a storefront, office, truck, tools, equipment, home office, etc.?
How quickly could you make money?
How much could you charge / earn?
How many customers would you need?
How would you find customers?
How long can you go without an income?
How will you cover health insurance? How much will it cost?
How much demand is there?
How much are customers willing to pay?
How much competition is there?
How much do they charge?
How many people fail?
How committed are you?
How much do you want to do it?
Is your family supportive?
Are you capable of dealing with risk?

Be honest with yourself! Answering these questions as honestly and accurately as possible will help you make a reasonable decision. There will be obstacles, and they can certainly be overcome. However, understanding all the factors and going in wide-eyed will make you better informed and better prepared.
Should you consider self-employment? Only you can determine that for yourself. For many people, however, it’s an option that certainly ought to be considered. It may be the end of your job search and the beginning of the greatest adventure of your life!

Author:
Harry Urschel has over 20 years experience as a technology recruiter in Minnesota. He currently operates as e-Executives, writes a blog for Job Seekers called The Wise Job Search, and can be found on Twitter as @eExecutives.