Information Interviews

In my last blog posting I talked about the importance of researching school’s before selecting which one you attend for training. The same level of importance can be placed when planning your first or second career. While there are many different ways to research careers; one useful technique that job seekers can use is the Information Interviews. These can be used to learn more about an industry as well as having the benefit of building your network and smoothing the transition into a new career.

While there are many benefits to conducting Information Interviews most job seekers are not aware of how to present this concept to an employer and instead use it as an attempt to bypass the hiring process and secure a job interview. The following information will help you to effectively request an Information Interview with an employer and help you to succeed in getting the information that you need. 

What Are The Benefits Of An Information Interview?

An Information Interview conducted correctly can benefit a job seeker in several of the following areas:

–        Increased knowledge of their target industry / employer

–        Increased exposure to employers

–        Exploring a specific industry to see if it is a good fit for you

–        Learn tips to enhance your job search methods

–        Developing a solid networking contact

–        Referral to other employers and networking contacts

–        Potential job offer or prior knowledge of future job opportunities – (accessing the hidden job market)

What An Information Interview Is Not  

Before we talk about how to secure an Information Interview it is worth pointing out that Information Interviews are not about:

–        Asking for a job

–        Selling the employer something

–        Wasting everybody’s time

How To Find People To Interview

As an Information Interview is a way of utilizing and extending a network, the first place that you should look when attempting to arrange one is the same place you would look when you started to build your network and that is with your closest contacts such as:

–        Family

–        Friends

–        Neighbours

–        Placement Supervisors

Moving outside of this circle the following areas are places where you can find potential individuals to connect with for an Information Interview as well as general information regarding specific industries:

–        Teachers / Instructors

–        Conferences / Workshops

–        Professional Associations

–        Service Organizations

–        Employment Resource Centres

–        Social Media Sites (LinkedIn)

Finally you can contact organizations that you are interested in and ask who you would need to speak to regarding information on that organization.

How To Request An Interview

The easiest way to connect with an employer to request an Information Interview is either directly through email or via a networking site such as LinkedIn. It is possible to connect with someone over the phone however it may take several phone calls before you get through to the employer if you even get past the receptionist. An email is more direct and in terms of how busy an employer may be will allow them time to get back to you.

When you create your request you will need to address four specific points

–        An opening statement that mentions how you got their contact information

–        A summary statement of who you are and why you are contacting them

–        A statement requesting an opportunity to meet and what you would like to discuss with them

<!--[if !supportLists]-->×          <!--[endif]-->A closing statement thanking them for their time

General Tips

The following are some tips to bear in mind when you are creating your interview request.

–        Begin with a clear subject line (i.e. Request for an Information Interview)

–        Keep your email professional, avoid phrases such as ‘Hi’ and the use of slang/emoticons

–        Pay attention to spelling and grammar

–        Set a specific time goal so that employers won’t feel like they are wasting their time

–        Do not include your resume (even though you are tempted)

–        Include your contact details (such as phone number / LinkedIn Profile under the signature line)

Example Email Requests

Example request with a referral from an individual:

Dear Mr Smith,

Andrew Bassingthwaighte, Employment Consultant at the Employment Resource Centre provided me with your email address. As a student of the ABC College's Community Worker program I am seeking to learn more about careers with the field of Social Services and he thought you might be able to provide me with some useful information. 

If you are able to find time, I would like to meet with you in person for 20 minutes to interview you about your career; either at your office or over coffee.

Thank you for considering my request and I look forward to your reply. 

Sincerely,

Joe Bloggs

Example request when you don't have a referral:

Dear Mr Smith,

My name is Joe Bloggs and I came across your name through the Canadian Career Information Association group on LinkedIn where we are both members. To give you the

basics of my situation, I am currently going through a career change in my life where I am

transitioning from the manufacturing industry to the Social Services field.

If possible I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you for 20 minutes either in

person or on the telephone for an information interview, as I wish to learn to more about

your organization and to discuss any improvements that I would need to make to help me

find work in this sector upon graduation. 

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Joe Bloggs

Things To Remember

One of the main things that you want to be aware of is that this is an interview. So no matter where it is being held, it should be treated with the same amount of professionalism as a job interview. 

–        Research the company so you can develop some appropriate questions

–        Call the day before to confirm your appointment

–        Dress professionally (aim for a step above the workplace but be comfortable)

–        Arrive 5 – 10 minutes early

–        Bring your list of questions and a notepad/pen to take notes

–        Start the interview with a brief summary of your situation and restating why you are interviewing them

–        Don’t ambush the employer by asking for a job

–        Don’t monopolize their time, keep the interview to what you stated in the email

–        Only offer a resume if they ask to see it or if you feel they can help you critique it    

–        Remember to ask for the persons business card so you have their accurate contact details

–        After the interview send a Thank You note within 24 hours of meeting them

A Brief Look at 2011

Another year is almost over and we come to that time of year where everybody looks at what the accomplished (or failed to) in 2011 and what new goals or resolutions they want to make for 2012. For myself, 2011 was an incredibly busy year; work has shown again and again just how popular the Second Career program is within Niagara Region as was seen by the popularity of my advice post on the whole process (here).

In addition to dealing with Second Career applications and providing job search advice to clients, I have also been assisting people in utilizing different Social Media platforms for their job search as well as developing a workshop on the subject. I have also been working on my Sociology degree, which has left me with less time for blogging than I would have preferred but has still been a challenging and engaging experience so far.

Over the past year I’ve looked at a number of different topics related to job search and career development and in the New Year I hope to continue updating this blog with useful and relevant advice on a monthly basis.

Finally for those who are either still looking or that intend to start looking for work in the New Year allow me to point you in the direction of a posting from last year entitled Revitalizing Your Job Search for the New Year. The dates may have changed but the principles contained within are still the same and can be used throughout the year.

A companion PowerPoint to go alongside my last blog posting.

Social Media and Job Search for Beginners

You’ve started your job search, your resume has been updated and you’re applying to jobs in person or through job boards. However everyone keeps telling you about this thing called social media and how it can help you in your job search; so you decide to give it a try but where do you start? The following points are from a workshop I created to introduce individuals to Social Media and how it can be utilized as a part of their job search strategy.

How does social media impact job search?

A recent survey by CareerEnlightenment.com stated that:
• 79% of hiring managers / recruiters review online information about applicants
• 70% said they rejected people based on the information they found
• 89% of companies will use Social Media Networks for recruiting in 2011
• This is an increase of 6% from 2010

What are your options?

There are a number of different social media sites that individuals can use, the three most popular which are connected to job search are Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter

Facebook
• Has over 800 million active users
• It utilizes personal connections and the average user has 130 friends
• Businesses now use Facebook for advertising and to connect with customers
• Still seen by many as personal and unprofessional but these opinions are changing

Using Facebook to Job Search
• Make use of applications (apps) such as Branch Out or BeKnown that are sponsored by job boards to track vacancies, companies and your network
• Clean up your profile, remove any negative content such as embarrassing photos
• Check your privacy settings, can employers see you
• Follow or ‘Like’ company pages so you can see what they are doing

LinkedIn
• Is business focused; seen as the professional version of Facebook
• #1 Social Media tool used by employers - 80% of employers use LinkedIn to find talent
• In essence it is an online resume that potential employers can view
• Incorporates company pages, a built-in job board and groups which consist of industry specialists or individuals with a common interest

Using LinkedIn to Job Search
• Make sure you have a complete profile so that employers can see what you have / can do
• Like any other part of your job search you want to target your audience
• Use groups to connect with your industry and the people within it
• Take the time to share relevant content and opinions

Twitter
• 140 characters or less
• Twitter has real time relevance, the past stays there
• People are constantly talking about trends, companies, general advice

Using Twitter to Job Search
• Learn the language – ‘hash tag’ ‘retweet’ ‘DM’
• Start slowly and with purpose
• Active participation is essential and add value to the conversation
• While there is some value in retweeting, let people hear what you have to say
• General rule 80% professional 20% personal

Other Sites of Interest
• Google - #1 Search engine in the world
• You Tube - #2 Search engine (owned by Google)
• Quora – Questions, Answers and Advice from industry professionals
• Blogger / Wordpress – Personal websites for individuals that want to share more of their expertise with the world
• About.me – A customized profile / launch site

What Next???

So now that we’ve had a look at what options are available to you, now is the time to pick a site to get started with and set up your profile. We generally recommend the one site to start with, so that you can get comfortable with using the site, seeing how others use the site and so that you are not overwhelmed.

Here are 3 things to keep in mind when using Social Media for job search.

1 – Don’t hide behind the computer – Anonymity is an easy trap to fall into, because no one knows who you are, you can say whatever you want. The problem is, you have to come out from the computer at some point and how you act online will be how employers perceive you.
• Social media will never fully replace face to face meetings such as in person networking and Interviews
• Having a professional looking profile picture shows the employer you are a real person (Simple headshot recommended)
• Your online actions affect how employers perceive you

2 – Present yourself in good light – This involves taking a look at what is currently online about you and taking steps to correct any negatives; for example pictures from parties where you were drunk are not going to impress any employers. It also involves taking the time to check any posts that you make for spelling mistakes, clarity and most importantly the content, updates about your lunch are not going to interest people; however comments related to the work you are interested in will.
• Take steps to correct any negatives such as drunken pictures from parties
• Check updates for spelling mistakes
• Clarity and content are important – updates about your lunch are not going to interest people

3 – Reputations take time – Building an online reputation / brand is going to take time for most people, rushing it can lead to mistakes and a negative reputation, so start out slowly.
• Rushing can lead to mistakes and a negative reputation
• Start out slowly
• Seek advice from experts
• Be part of the conversation

Networking is not…..

One of the things that there is an abundance of online is articles about networking. There are articles talking about what networking is; how to build a network and why you should have one; in fact I’ve added to this pile with my last two blog postings. So to buck the trend a little what I would like to do for this posting is to share four things that networking is most definitely not.

Networking is not…..

Begging for a job:

Seriously, it’s not; people and especially employers are more inclined to tune you out or try and avoid you if you keep pestering them for a job. Yes at one time they might have admired your perseverance but now they have scores of people doing the same thing so enough is enough.

A quick fix:

Many people think that the moment they start networking, job offers will start appearing. The reality is for the majority of people it takes time to build up a network to a point where you can receive referrals and use it to generate employment opportunities. How long will vary from person to person but the average is counted in months not days.

Only conducted online:

While sites such as LinkedIn have made it a lot easier to research and make connections with individuals / employers it will never take the place of a face to face meeting. It’s at those meetings where we can use tone / body language to express ourselves much more vividly than we could through an email. Also some of those potential connections may not be using the same sites that you use or even have the time to use them at all. So while online networking may be easier don’t sacrifice meeting people offline.

Your only option:

This follows on from the last point as there are a few different job search strategies that job seekers can use depending on the type of work they are looking for. Too many times people will advocate networking as the “be all and end all” of someone’s job search. The reality is though that even within networking there are several different types and there are other job search strategies that someone can use. Something that I recommend to clients is to try one job search strategy and if it doesn’t work try something else. Otherwise you’ll end up beating your head against a wall wasting time you could spend doing something productive.

Developing A Network

After a very busy summer I am back to blogging, at work we have over 20 clients preparing to start school in September thanks to the Second Career program and at home I am about to enter into my second year of university studies (online) as I continue to work towards gaining a degree in Sociology.

In my last posting I talked about the two types of networks that people have Organic and Rational, here’s the link if you want to refresh your memory http://bit.ly/j0L45Q, its ok I’ll wait for you.

In this posting what I want to talk about is how to grow and develop your network. Yes you can go through life with a small network that you are comfortable with; the problem with that though is at some point the effectiveness of your network will reach a limit and you can only go beyond that limit by introducing new people. Let’s face it the reason why we have people in our network is because they each bring unique knowledge and experience to help you achieve your goals, whatever they may be, this is also why you are part of their network.

What are your networking goals?

Before we look at building the network, you first need to ask yourself why you are networking; is it to connect with hiring managers that may hire you or is it to gain a support base? The reason you need to ask yourself this question is because the answer will redefine how you go about networking with individuals. If you wish to build a network to find employment then you need to be aware that it is going to take effort on your part and depending on the size of your starting network may also take time to develop and become effective.

If on the other hand you are wishing to develop a support base, you cannot expect jobs leads to start appearing as you will more than likely be connected to individuals that have no connection or interest in providing you with these leads. For example for several years I ran a peer support group for mature job seekers, we had fun, shared information about how to job search, and how to deal with certain issues such as age discrimination. The one thing that rarely happened though was sharing job leads; those that were shared were ones that the individual did not want to apply for as they understandably did not want others in the group applying to the same jobs in order to reduce the competition.

Who are you connecting with?

Now I’m aware that the majority of individuals who are starting to network wish to find work, and that’s admirable. A large number of jobseekers though end up networking with the wrong people, many go to events similar to the one I mentioned above, in the hope that they will hear about lots of job opportunities. As I have already stated though these events are mainly focused on supporting individuals and not with providing job leads.

So if your networking goal is to find a job, then your networking activities should be focused on reaching those individuals within a company that make the hiring decisions and for a number of positions this is not Human Resources. In order to find out who those individuals are you may also need to connect with individuals that work for the company you are interested and ideally work in the same department or are doing the same type of job that you wish to have.

You should also develop a target list of companies that you wish to work for; this will help you to become more selective in your networking, which is necessary in developing a rational based network and will help you to focus on meeting with the people that either make the decisions or are connected to them.

How are you connected to them?

In developing your target list, it is also a good idea to determine how you are connected to an individual. Ideally you would have a personal referral from someone who is connected to an individual within your target company, however for those that are just starting to develop their network this will take time to gain. Another connection you can use is that you and the individual are part of the same professional association or belong to an industry specific group such as those on LinkedIn. I should also mention that LinkedIn is a great way to find people in companies on your target list. The final type of connection that you may have with an individual is that you simply share the same industry. Now if you have recently moved to a new area, this may be the situation you are in, in which case one of your primary goals in meeting with this individual would be to find out who else in the area you should be trying to connect with.

How to approach them?

Now that you know what your networking goals are, who you wish to network with and how you are connected to them; the next step is to reach out to them and arrange a meeting. Career counsellors and advisors such as myself that promote targeted / rational networking approaches recommend sending out an introductory email to the individual followed by a phone call a few days later.

Your initial email should be brief, complimentary and state your connection to them as discussed above. It should also outline what you are looking for career wise and what you expect from them such as a face to face meeting for some advice and assistance; you should not be asking them for a job.

Several days after you have sent your email, which gives them the opportunity to respond, then you would follow up with a phone call. During this call you would essentially restate what was included within your email, making sure to specifically request a call back and to leave a call back number. If after this they still do not respond, then leave them alone for now as you do not want to be perceived as a pest like so many other job seekers.

Finally

Two final thoughts to wrap up with, first you need to be aware that like many things in life, building and managing a network requires time and effort. I have seen people give up on this type of networking after only a few days, this type of networking takes commitment.

Secondly once you have cultivated a network connection, do not let it go to waste. Stay in touch with the individual, either through meeting for coffee or via social media tools. The first thing that people stop doing as soon as they find work is managing their network which means that should they lose their job, they have to start this process of developing a network all over again.

Hiatus

Even though I am a casual blogger, an increase in my volunteer and school schedule at this time of year means I need to take a break from this site for the next couple of months. On my return I will continue my series on networking and writing about the job I love which includes helping people plan out their journey in life.

I hope everyone reading this has an enjoyable summer and even though I am not writing, I am available for questions / help requests and consultations.

Andrew Bassingthwaighte

Organic and Rational Networking

Networking is a word that is becoming more and more popular in today’s society thanks to social media sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn. The problem with networks and networking isn’t about what it is but how to do it effectively. Over the next couple of postings I want to break down this subject and look at the types of networks people have, how to grow a network and finally look at how to maintain that network once your job search has ended.

Types of Network

Everybody on this planet has a network and with enough digging we are able to connect ourselves to other people, it’s how the six degrees of Kevin Bacon (or separation as it is technically called) was developed. These networks can be broken down into two categories: Organic and Rational.

Organic networks are ones that grows naturally and normally over long periods of time. They start out with family and friends and then develop as you make more personal connections through school or work. The issue with organic networks in relation to job searching is that they are limited in scope. If I were to look at my own organic network (ignoring my friends at work), then there is no-one in that circle that could provide me with advice or potential job leads to further my career. This is a problem that is faced by a number of job seekers, especially if they have moved to a new area in order to find employment.

In contrast rational networks are developed based on a targeted or rational decision to connect with someone based on a perceived connection you have with them. For example Joe Blogs works as an employment counsellor at a local college, because we work in the same field it makes sense to try and connect with him. Having said this, rational networks have their own issues which are mostly connected to the person at the heart of the network; you. For a lot of individuals making a connection or even just talking with another individual outside of their organic network can be very difficult. There is also the issue of the type of industry that you are looking at, in some cases the potential number of connections can be limited based on their number or even their location.

When it comes to job searching the type of network that you can depend on with vary based on the industry you are in and how established your current networks are. Some individuals may have a large organic network but due to a lack of experience or having to make a career change may have a limited rational network. For other individuals they are only able to rely on the rational network as they left their organic one behind when they moved locations.

For those interested in seeing what these types of network look like, we can turn to social media for some great examples.

Facebook started out as an example of an organic network. Connections were initially made based on the school you attended. After time they expanded this to include regions (such as St Catharines-Niagara) to its present state which enables you to connect with anyone at a push of a button.

Linkedin on the other hand is an example of a rational based network. In order to connect with people you need to be able to demonstrate exactly how you are connected to these individuals, either through work, school or as part of a LinkedIn’s group. These groups by the way can be a great way of finding people in your industry and introducing yourself to them at the same time prior to making the actual connection.
In my next post I will share some ideas on how to grow and develop networks both in-person and online.

Identifying and Selling Strengths Part 1

The following is one of my favourite quotes from the TV series Blackadder, where Blackadder is trying to get out of the trenches by trying to win an art competition.

[George is asked why he didn't reveal his ability at painting before]
Lieutenant George: I don't like blowing my own trumpet.

Captain Blackadder: You might at least told us you had a trumpet

"Blackadder Goes Forth"

Today, Job Search is all about competition, competing to get an employer’s attention, competing to get an interview, competing to get the job. The problem is, if the employer has no idea that you can paint, or ‘do the job’, why they should hire you?

When it comes to competing for jobs, you need to let the employer know just what it is you can do, the excuse of not wanting to blow your own trumpet, just isn’t going to cut it anymore. Unfortunately a lot of people either they don’t know how to sell themselves successfully or only do half the job and then stop for fear of appearing overqualified for a position. So how do we go about effectively selling our strengths to an employer or the world at large?

Well the first thing we need to do is to get to know ourselves. Start by determining what strengths and experiences you have that would be of benefit to a company. Here are a few pointers to get you started.

-          Carry out a skills inventory – make use of online assessments such as http://www.careercruising.com/ or http://www.jvis.com/ to name but a couple to get a picture of where your skills, interests and strengths lie. (These sites are also great for pointing those that have no clue what they want to do when they grow up in the right direction).  

-          Create a list of accomplishments - Include everything you can think of, from the things you did to increase revenue to helping to organize the company's Christmas party

-          Examine your attitude – Write, in some detail, a personal profile. Note personal preferences i.e. working independently; also list your strengths and weaknesses. Prepare to discuss both, and in terms of your weaknesses, how you have overcome them and don’t forget to let your character shine through

-          Volunteer Work: Volunteering shows to employers and recruiters that you’ve got character, initiative and in looking for a job, it can give you an edge. It also has the benefit of raising your visibility and expanding your networking contacts.

-          Ask your network: I know how hard it is to try and think of good things to say about yourself, so instead turn to your network which is made up of friends, family, colleagues and ex-employers or coworkers. Ask those that know you at work or at play what they think your strengths are, you might be surprised by their answers.

-         Ignore dates: Sometimes people will ignore the contributions they made to previous employers or even communities, they either forget or believe them to be irrelevant because they happened a long time ago. That's not true any accomplishment is important.  

Once you have developed this list of strengths and skills, allow me to ask what can be a hard question for some people. Do you believe in the product that you’re selling? If you go into your job search, not believing in what it is you have to offer to an employer, than they won’t believe it either and your job search will quickly falter.

One of the best ways to build a sense of your own value is to look at your own accomplishments. Start your own personal accomplishment file, include special events, projects or moments that gave you a sense of achievement and then remind yourself of them. The more comfortable we are with talking about what we have done and accomplished the more self-confidence we display to employers.

In part 2, which I will post on Monday, I'll discuss just how and where we need to sell our strengths to get the most impact.

The Habits of a Successful Job Seeker

Who are They

Over the years working in Employment Counselling I have see many people find work, for some it has taken time, some have had to take risks and others have started work in areas they never thought possible to begin with. No matter what type of work they were looking for there are some things that all of them had in common.

·         Get a Plan Together – Making a list of long as well as short term goals is essential in planning your career path and continuing your professional growth. A simple ‘get a job’ won’t suffice.  These are your goals that you are aiming for so include details for example:

List 10 things that you are looking for in a job/career

Have my resume checked by a professional

Identify what my skills and strengths are

Also don’t restrict your goals just to Job Search, achieving a goal in one area of our lives inspires us and gives us confidence in the other areas.

Always be Prepared – The majority of job opportunities are rarely handed to you in advance and we need to be prepared for the surprises that may come up during the day. Successful job seekers are prepared, they have their day planned out and know who and where they have applied to recently so if someone does call they are ready to discuss business.

·         Be Open-Minded – A lot of job seekers today search with blinders on. They are so focused on one particular set job title or career that they dismiss out of hand other potentially viable careers. In today’s job market however we cannot afford to set ourselves strict boundaries like that. Different companies will use different titles for the same job, or job sites will list some kinds of work by category not title so searches for them became redundant. 

·         Bypass Human Resources – Human resources representatives are also known as "screeners." Their job is to review resumes and match your experience with a checklist of requirements set forth by the employer / hiring manager. If there are enough matches, the human resources representative forwards the resume to the decision maker. Unfortunately, this is now more and more common in the workplace it is also why most opportunities are lost - because the screener doesn't have the luxury of making a decision based on instinct; he or she is instructed to follow the lead of the hiring manager or they simply do not know enough about the job at hand to make an informed decision.

Since the decision makers (e.g., Supervisors, Department heads, CEO’s) are the ones who determine who is ultimately hired, it is advisable that you attempt to apply directly to them. One way of doing this is particularly if you are not applying to an advertised position is to research or contact the company to find out the contact details of the person in charge and address your resume / cover letter to them. Not only does this bypass Human resources but if handled properly there is also the possibility of meeting someone who can successfully expand your network as well. 

Keeping Your Network Alive - We all have contacts; the question is how effectively we utilize them. For most, the idea of networking simply involves contacting everyone they know and asking for a job.

Effective networking takes this concept one step further. Instead of just contacting everyone that you know instead focus on those that work (or have worked) in the industry that you are interested in. Then start calling and setting up a time to grab a coffee or something equally brief (which helps keep the cost down). Then when you do meet, don't just ask, "Do you know of any jobs?" Instead keep it light, say that you're looking for a place in the industry and in the meantime, you're making an effort to stay informed of what's happening. Your goal is not just to find a job but to develop new contacts and get your name spread around, so when positions do come up in your line of work you get to hear about them.

Follow-Up – Well-written follow up letters can make a difference to whether you get hired. A follow-up letter is more than a simple note thanking the interviewer for his or her time. It should be a sophisticated letter that re-affirms your interest in the position and can serve as an opportunity to mention an important point you neglected to bring up, and/or provides an opportunity to offer new insight on a topic that was discussed during the interview.

            Be Good to Yourself - There are two types of job seekers. One, which has a laid back approach and the other that always feels "there aren't enough hours in the day" and compulsively searches for a job without taking a breather.

It's important to keep your job search active, but not at the expense of your own sanity. Take breaks to keep your spirits and energy level high. Unchecked stress can feed on itself, so make time for enjoyable pursuits. Go away with your family for a couple of days, treat yourself to a nice meal or simply place all applications aside for one weekend. You'll come back to your job search with new perspectives and strategies.

Take Charge of your Attitude – While last in our list, the most effective habit of all our successful job seekers has been maintaining a positive attitude. There are many things we can’t change during our job search for example, the number of available vacancies The one thing we do have control over and can change is our attitude

One example regarding attitude is how we look at previous successes and failures. In reality it does not matter what we did or did not do in our last position, in our last interview, on our last resume. In all likelihood, we did not fail and you have no reason to feel guilty for anything you have done up to this point. If, however in some way you did fail or make a mistake, learn from it, and put your new knowledge to work for you. Remember if you focus on the positive, you will find the positive. If you let the little things drag you down, (especially the things you cannot do anything about) you will take yourself out of the game before it begins.

Finally

Looking over this list of effective habits the one thing that should strike you is that they are all habits which we have control over. Most job seekers don’t feel like they have any control of the situation they are in. But what we can change is how we look at our job search, how we go about searching and how we maintain our own well being.