So instead of having one big topic this week, I thought I’d write about a lot of little topics that are on my mind…
First, I was doing some recruiting for a local paralegal position. Looked at a candidate’s resume, thought they might be a good fit, and gave them a call on their cell phone to schedule an interview. However, their ringback tone was a pretty “boisterous” rock tune. Not professional. I didn’t even leave a message. The person I’m conducting the search for is pretty conservative, so just from that call I had a feeling that it wouldn’t be a good fit. Was I right? I’ll never know. I made an assumption based on the song, and that I had plenty of other candidates to look at-I didn’t need to take a chance to figure it out.
Moral of the story: Don’t give employers an easy way to disqualify you. The ringback issue is silly. Now true, this candidate-when it came down to it-might not have been a good “fit,” so I saved us all some hassle. You can decide how you want to handle this in your search.
Second, I got into a little “battle” on Facebook. I am a member of a group called HireFriday. They have taken on the noble task of allowing jobseekers additional exposure by posting their LinkedIn profiles on their site every…wait for it…Friday.
So one woman posts that she doesn’t have a LinkedIn profile, she had one, but deleted it because she didn’t get any hits off of it.
This stuff makes me crazy. The posting is free, F-R-E-E, so why delete it? It’s not doing anything to you, but you delete it in a fit of misguided fury. And you’re still unemployed…good goin’.
So I reply, politely, that she should put it up, and I know some great coaches who can teach her how to use it effectively. It’s a FREE service, so let’s maximize it.
She replies with a fury-that she just needs a job, that there are no jobs where she is, that her home was flooded (She lives in Nashville), and just wants to vent and be upset that she will probably have to go back to school, but can’t because she can’t get her transcripts from her old school…etc.
WOW.
I empathize with her, but, as many of you know from me by now-I will NOT RSVP to your pity party. That’s now what I’m here to do. That’s why you have friends and family-that’s NOT why you talk to me. You talk to me to get your tail out of the mess you’re in. I feel badly, it completely stinks, but let’s work on some strategies to help. A new direction, a different voice. I offered a resume critique and a strategy session-20 minutes-no charge.
Haven’t heard from her.
Third, I read an article recently that surveyed hiring mangers and found that the top 3 bullet points of a job description were what they were most interested in finding in their ideal candidate. I think that’s probably true from my hiring days. So don’t get bent out of shape if there are points toward the bottom you don’t match. Read the overall posting-get a gist of who their ideal candidate would be-read between the lines and address that in your cover letter and resume.
Whew! That felt better…a little “rants from the edge” session.
Now, let’s go get some jobs!
Melanie Szlucha’s company Red Inc. Helps candidates stand out from the crowd–in a good way. Follow her on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/Red_Inc) or check out her website: http://www.reallygreatresume.com
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