Posted by ResumeHelp on December 29, 2009
Yesterday I ran a post on how to get hired 65% faster and lots of you emailed me and asked me if this were true. Let me be perfectly clear — YES, 100% true. Today I would like to follow up and give you another idea or two. But this isn’t all there is – if you will take the next step and follow the link to Guerrilla Resume you will learn and receive lots more. These methods really work. The example we gave yesterday came from someone living in Michigan where the unemployment rate is at least 15% (conservatively) and if this will work there, why won’t it work where you live?
Many people never think of it that way. You should and must!
Think about it.
To get hired, you must identify, qualify and contact prospects (decision makers who can hire you) and sell to them (convince them to offer you a job). Anyone who has ever had a sales job knows the above to be true. You must sell the decision maker!
Here are 2 Guerrilla Job Search tactics based on *unconventional* sales and marketing methods.
Try one or both today, to get hired faster tomorrow …
- Treat Voicemails as Radio Spots
Here’s an idea: Think of your voicemail messages as 30-second radio commercials.
That means you should script and rehearse the voicemails you leave for employers.
Don’t adopt a fake baritone, but do try to sound upbeat and professional.
While other job seekers leave dull, rambling messages, you can give employers one more reason to hire you, by leaving tantalizing voicemails that practically force them to call you back.
Example:
“Hi, this is Steve Jones. I wanted to make
sure you got the resume I mailed you on Monday
for the position of accountant. I had something
to add to the part where I saved $27,000 last
year for a firm just like yours. If you’d like
to know the missing piece, please call me at
702-555-1212. Thank you!”
- Send Sales Letters, Not Cover Letters
It’s been said (by us) that you can’t bore employers into hiring you. So why send out the same dull cover letters as other job seekers?
To sell an employer on the idea of hiring you, it helps to send them a … sales letter.
Here’s a crash course to get you started:
- Personalize your opening. Example: “Dear Mr. Jackson.” Never, ever write: “Dear Sir or Madam.” Can’t find the name of the hiring manager? Pick up the phone and call.
Timid job seekers have skinny kids.
- Focus on the reader. All good sales letters are written about “you,” the reader, and not, “I,” the author. If you change all instances of “I” to “you” in your cover letter, you’ll make it more effective.
- Make specific claims, then prove them with facts. Look at your last letter. How many numbers, percentages, and dollar signs do you see? Add more.
- Ask for the sale. Example: “Please call me today to learn how I can save you money as a customer service manager.” Or, better: “I will call your office at 10 a.m. Wed. to answer any questions and tell you how I saved $15,000 in my last role as a customer service manager.”
Are you beginning to think you will NEVER find another job? Are you tired of being unemployed? You don’t have to be! Want to know more? The real key to your success is whether you are willing to take the next step or not. It’s that simple. Click here for more details!
Posted by ResumeHelp on September 1, 2009
Have you lost your job as a result of a bad economy? Before you panic, there are many ways to remedy the situation. You can now do things that you never would have been able to while you were employed. Use this time effectively while you plan your future. Sit down and make a list of things that you have always wanted to do but couldn’t because of your job as you plan your future. There are many ways to make a living besides working 9 to 5. Here are a few ideas to improve your situation:
Why not? I will bet it is something you have thought of before unless you already have one; in that case maybe it’s time to add to your degree. Or maybe take a class and learn a new skill like computer programming or computer repair. And remember it is a “life time” degree.
If you can’t spend two years of time on a masters degree, you could do a short term diploma degree in your field of experience. If not a diploma, how about a certification? Certification adds lots of value to your profile. Besides this will open your eyes to other possibilities of a certification in another field. The opportunities are endless.
This is something anybody can do. You can do this as a part time and earn quick buck for survival. Teach high school students, college students right in your house, of course for money.
Choose a part of curriculum that is tough for students but that you know something about and start tutoring. Trust me anybody can do this. This is the easiest job, nevertheless it requires some ground work before starting. Research what tutors are charging in your area. A few years back I owned an upholstery business. They taught upholstery in a local high school adult education department. I applied as an instructor and was hired on the spot.
What are you interested in that you may be able to turn into a profit if you learned it? Maybe hire a career coach at this point. Here are some additional ideas: photography, acquire IT skills, graphic design, computer repair, the list goes on and on. Brainstorm with your wife, husband or best friend and stretch your imagination. Did you boast of working in numerous technologies on your resume? Are those skills out of date? Add these to your list of things to brush up on.
Recession? Bad Economy? These are the terms for the “panic-creating” media and not for winners like you. The best time to start your own business is now! But research it thoroughly first. One of the best areas is the service area. There are always jobs for handyman services.
Many people think freelance work is not their cup of tea but it isn’t that difficult. Here is a great source for freelance work. My only advice is you had better know how to do the work you claim to know. Otherwise not only won’t you get paid but your reputation will suffer. This is a compact area so word gets around quickly for bad service. We have used freelance writers for special projects, some with good results and some not so good. If you want references for future work you had better be good.
So the next move is yours! Take it – Choose any of the links above and start climbing out of the tank! Do it now!!
Posted by ResumeHelp on April 2, 2009
With so many people out of work or in fear of losing their jobs we find everyone scrambling to look for new ways to network.
Enter Twitter. If you haven’t used Twitter before here’s a good reason to begin. Even as we speak there is a geek fest going on called “South by Southwest Interactive”, or as it is better known SXSWi. This is where the more technology advanced folks go to find the best ways to socialize using the latest media.
Yesterday at the conference, Workhound (the UK largest search engine) announced they were launching a Twitter Job Search board. This site will list all the jobs they have “posted” on their platform.
What can this mean to you? Time will tell. If you are not a member of Twitter you may want to consider joining or not depending on how technically savvy you are. There have been over 1.3 billion Tweets posted to Twitter but until now there has been no way to bring them together. Whether this will work or not remains to be seen.
Another prospect for you to consider is career counseling. Often I hear the comment that these people are too expensive. If your career is stalled or you have just been let go and if your plan to find another career is working then fine, I’m truly glad but if it isn’t then for your own sake, contact a career counselor today. You will never know if you just dismiss the idea without checking it for yourself to see how this can benefit you.
Let them look over your resume, do a one-on-one interview and see for yourself if this is right for you. By contacting one of these companies you are under no obligation and it’s not just a one-time session but ongoing help to be sure you find that perfect career. You may also want to give some serious to letting a professional write your resume. Most people find that having a professionally written resume makes a 100% difference. They even offer a guarantee. Check it out !!
A fresh look is all that is needed many times. Consider this, it could make the difference of finding another job in a related field you had not considered or wallowing in the quagmire you are already feeling. A good career counselor could be and probably is just what you need.
