Transcript Document
E VERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CONDUCTING A JOB SEARCH …AND SUCCEEDING!
FEI National Career Services
www.financialexecutives.org/careers
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THE RESUME
FICTION: Recruiters and HR staffing personnel read every resume they receive.
FACT: Recruiters and HR staffing personnel receive 100-400+ resumes a day if they have posted a job on the open market.
TACTIC: Your resume… • …should be a current document of your experiences, results and achievements; with content and style changes to target the situation sought; should focus on organizational and interpersonal skills along with your technical expertise.
…is your marketing tool, designed to sell you to a prospective employer; should be organized, reader-friendly, direct and concise.
…should contain “power verbs” which convey action and results; e.g., directed, implemented, created, developed,
etc.
REMEMBER:
Resume writing is an art, not a science.
Don’t be modest about your accomplishments.
THE COVER LETTER
• • • FICTION: The cover letter should be a narrative version of your resume.
FACT: The cover letter gives you another opportunity to emphasize what you can contribute to the organization.
TACTICS: Your cover letter… …should be limited to 7-8 word sentences in 4-5 lines per paragraph, that emphasize the most notable highlights of your career, or the unique skills you have that meet the specs of the position.
…should show you’ve researched the company and industry; that you know who they are, what they do, why you have chosen them, and how you will fit into the job and the culture.
…should use terms and phrases meaningful to the employer: key words from the ad or from the information shared with you from your networking contacts. If you know what they are looking for, stress those words as well.
THE COVER LETTER (cont’d) REMEMBER:
• A proactive cover letter requesting an interview will be more effective if you promise to follow-up the letter with a phone call, and do.
• Be natural and conversational. Don’t make the cover letter sound like it’s been copied from a book. Let it show knowledge, enthusiasm, and
focus.
• • •
THE NETWORK YOU BUILD
FICTION: The person you are networking with will help you get a job.
FACT: Networking builds your confidence, and provides you with the opportunity to meet those experts in your field who are well connected to other experts who might be looking for the talent you bring.
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TACTICS: Consider the network to be like the Web: Establish links to others who will provide information and help in your job search. Therefore: 4.
Make a list of everyone you know, letting them know what you are trying to achieve.
Ask each person on your list for at least one referral.
Use a disciplined, organized approach: Maintain a calendar, send thank-you notes after every visit; conduct timely follow-ups.
In preparing for each networking meeting, review your goal statement, develop a list of questions or topics you want to discuss, and get to know as much as possible about the person you’ll be meeting with.
THE NETWORK YOU BUILD (cont’d) REMEMBER:
• Chemistry plays an important part in networking, so to get better results, ask for a 15-20 minute meeting.
If the chemistry is there, the meeting will more than likely last longer than the allotted time.
• Following up on all networking meetings with a thank-you (e-mail is OK, but a written note works best) will give you the privilege of going back for more referrals.
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THE RECRUITER
FICTION: Mass mailings to recruiters are effective, and get timely and positive results.
FACT: Unsolicited recruiter contact can be an effective search tool, so initial contact should be an early step in the search process.
TACTICS:
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Don’t limit your search by geography. Many recruiting firms work nationally, with offices from coast to coast.
Consider using recruiters who specialize in Finance/Accounting as well as those Executive Search Firms that place senior executives.
Make a good impression on your recruiter by being knowledgeable and helpful to them, recommending others for positions they are seeking to fill.
THE RECRUITER (cont’d)
REMEMBER:
• Finding the right recruiter and maintaining a good relationship can be the key to landing the perfect new position.
• Consider using Kennedy Information’s Directory of Executive Recruiters by visiting
www.kennedyinfo.com
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THE INTERNET
FICTION: The effectiveness of the Internet’s job listing sites is very high for non-computer-related jobs.
FACT: The Internet can help you… • • • • • • Look for job listings Post your resume Obtain career counseling/advice Provide networking contacts Find career management tools and resources Conduct research and find information TACTICS: Since the Internet’s offerings can be overwhelming and distracting: • Start by visiting jobhuntersbible.com, a great source for every kind of career topic.
THE INTERNET (cont’d)
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TACTICS (cont’d):
Search for job sites that offer you the largest number of job openings in your field. Take the time to register with them. Consider the following sites: FEI Job Center (www.financialexecutives.org/careers) 6FigureJobs.com (www.6figurejobs.com) ExecutivesOnly.com (www.executivesonly.com) ExecuNet.com (www.execunet.com) NETSHARE.com (www.netshare.com) JobsintheMoney.com (www.jobsinthemoney.com) FinanceLadder.com (www.financeladder.com) Finance Leaders Association (www.financeleaders.com) CareerJournal.com (www.careerjournal.com)
THE INTERNET (cont’d)
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TACTICS (cont’d):
Do your research on the companies you are interested in at the following sites: Reuters.com (www.reuters.com) Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com) Marketguide.com (www.marketguide.com)
The Dun and Bradstreet Million Dollar Database
(www.dnbmdd.com) CEOExpress.com (www.ceoexpress.com) Hoovers.com (www.hoovers.com)
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
(www.sec.gov)
REMEMBER: The “hidden job market” still exists, and 80% of all jobs are never advertised.
THE INTERVIEW
• FICTION: Impressions of people are not based on how they look, dress, sound, act and move.
• FACT: Body language and tone of voice speak louder than words.
• TACTICS: You can’t control if you are the person who will be chosen, but you can control the interaction with the interviewer.
1. Always be prepared for the “tough” questions you will be asked by preparing a list of them and rehearsing them, so that your answers sound natural and well thought out.
THE INTERVIEW (cont’d)
TACTICS (cont’d):
2. Bring a list of the questions you would like to ask about the position, the culture of the organization, what kind of candidate they are seeking, etc.
3. During the interview, display a positive, enthusiastic attitude about working for the prospective employer.
REMEMBER:
• The interview is a “dance,” so be prepared to waltz, tango or foxtrot as the situation demands, always remembering that what you bring to meet their needs, no one else can.
• Practice, practice, practice. It will help you get over the jitters, help you feel more natural, comfortable and in control of yourself.
THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE
• FICTION: You can do a job search in between cleaning out the garage, painting the house, or building a deck.
• FACT: Conducting a job search is a full-time job, and you will need to stay on top of some of the latest ideas and trends in this very tight job market.
• TACTICS: The longer you have been in a position and never had to search for a job, the more your skills will need honing to bring you up to date on what’s going on in the marketplace.
THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE (cont’d)
TACTICS (cont’d):
• Your FEI association is the very best place to start. It offers a wide array of career services that you can take advantage of and get the help and support you need immediately.
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Books:
What Color is Your Parachute
The Three Boxes of Life (Author: Richard Bolles) •
Newspapers:
The Wall Street Journal The New York Times
• Manuals: (from jobhuntersbible.com)
The Career Planning Process Creative Job Search Career Development Manual The Riley Guide
FEI NATIONAL CAREER SERVICES
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT FEI NATIONAL CAREER SERVICES, E-MAIL
or Susan Cully Manager, Career Services [email protected]
Diane Albergo Vice President, Human Resources & Member Career Development [email protected]
OR VISIT
www.financialexecutives.org/careers
TODAY!