Mark Hirschfeld

People who offer to give references have your best interests in mind, but it’s often helpful to provide them information about your job search and the company that is asking for your reference.

You can do that by sending your reference information about the job for which you are applying. It’s also helpful to send the reference a copy of your resume and highlight the experiences or successes you think might be particularly valuable for the reference to discuss with a potential employer.

This communication can be particularly helpful for someone who hasn’t worked with you for a time and isn’t as familiar with your recent activities.

As a person who has given references, it is always a relief if I receive this kind of information. I’m in a much better position to provide truthful and helpful information to the potential employer.

There is often a feeling that as job seekers we don’t have a lot of control, and that’s true. This is something you can have some control over—help your references to best tell your story.

There are training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout the videos reference. This content is free. Please consider passing along: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources

#career #careercoach #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch

I once worked with a gentleman named Will. He had been in one industry for a long time as an engineer with experiences very unique to that industry. He was looking for opportunities outside the industry, in part so he didn’t have to relocate.

Will put together a functional resume, a format which helped prospective employers easily see his skills and experiences that could be used in the other industry. As an engineer he did a lot of project management and was very skilled with computers.

He got a job with a company in that new industry. I happened to know the hiring manager, and I asked him why he hired Will.

He said: “The job he will be taking is one where the products are new to all of us, so he’s not at a disadvantage. And as an engineer I like how Will thinks.”

He’s continued to do well in that new industry.

Can you jump to another industry? It’s quite possible, particularly if you tell your story—understand what skills you can bring to that new industry and make your case.

There are training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout the videos reference. This content is free. Please consider passing along: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources

#career #careercoach #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch

I conducted a very non-scientific survey of ten experts on job search. I asked them: what were the three biggest mistakes they saw job seekers make? I received eleven replies with 22 ideas, but the following five were by far the most frequently cited:

1. Not knowing what you want in a job that would fit your skills, interests and values,
2. Relying only on applying for jobs and ignoring the value and power of networking,
3. Not researching companies, using information in the public domain and also what you can learn from personal networking,
4. Being unprepared for networking and job interviews, and
5. Using “one-size-fits-all” communications, such as cover letters and resumes.

The consensus makes great sense to me, and I’ll continue to comment on each of these in future posts.

There are training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout the videos reference. This content is free. Please consider passing along: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources

#career #careercoach #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch

When I started coaching job seekers in 1994 I didn’t have to worry about social media presence… because platforms like Facebook didn’t exist! We did dump things in 1994, but they weren’t on a platform that could be seen across the globe.

Each of is free to express our views online, from our passions about binge-worthy shows to commenting on the politics of the day. But we need to keep in mind that our online activities can be seen and reviewed by prospective employers.

Even the most open-minded of employers may be concerned about some of your online content, including those photos you willingly posed for last weekend where you may not be practicing social distancing at a beach party.

So if you’re in a job search, just think a bit about whether something needs to be posted to one of the many online portals. And if you’re worried that less activity might bring the social media giants to their knees, I’ll think they’ll be just fine.

There are training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout the videos reference. This content is free. Please consider passing along: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources

#career #careercoach #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch

Several years ago I worked with a company to conduct their annual employee engagement survey. After I presented their results I was asked to come back a few weeks later for another meeting. As I was waiting in the lobby I noticed a book on the coffee table.

I opened it up and found copies of all the reports of the survey I had just presented.

I was stunned.

When my contact came to fetch me I asked her why this was in the lobby: “We talked about it as a leadership team, and we decided that we wanted everyone who visits us, including prospective employees, to know how employees feel about working here.”

“As you know, not everything is positive in that report, but we wanted to be as transparent as possible.”

Then I was impressed.

Most companies don’t do this, but you can still learn about potential employers. Check out online company ratings. You can also talk with former and current employees.

Do your homework.

There are twelve training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout. This content is free. Please consider passing along to friend or loved one who may need help: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources

#career #careercoach #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch

Even under the best of circumstances, holidays can be stressful. Although Father’s Day happens to be happy for my family, this isn’t the case for everyone. For some of you, Father’s Day is more about difficult experiences and memories. If that is the case, I’m sending good thoughts.

It can be even more stressful if you don’t have a job.

We each deal with stress differently. For some of you it would be good to be (safely) around family and friends, and for others to get some alone time.

I find that accomplishing some task, even a modest one, feels good, and for others it’s better to have a “do nothing” day. Maybe this is a day when you find a way to help someone out who is in need, or maybe it’s a day when you ask someone for some needed help.

Do what’s right for you.

Hey, maybe the most expensive gifts aren’t necessary, and a home-cooked meal would be great instead of going out.

To the degree you can today, lean into family and friends who bring you joy and avoid those you don’t.

When you’re ready to resume your job search activities, there are twelve videos on the web site of my faith community. This content is free. Please also consider passing along: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources

#career #careercoach #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch

This plea is to those of you who are fortunate enough to have a job. If someone asks for you for a few moments to ask for advice, please do so. If you know the person well enough and feel comfortable writing a reference or validating some of their skills on this platform, do it.

One exceptionally important thing you can do in a networking meeting it to provide connections to a job seeker from your network. I was trained by my father to understand and utilize the power of networking, a skill others may not have.

I have used this privilege to my own benefit over the years, and am now using that to help others navigate these often complex systems called employers.

I’ve heard some say they are uncomfortable taking networking meetings because of the fear they can’t help. You don’t need to have all the answers. In fact, just listening to folks who are searching can make a difference—you help them feel heard.

Reach out and help not because you may receive something in return (although you might); do it because it’s the right thing.

There are twelve training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout the videos reference. This content is free. Please consider passing along: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources

#career #careercoach #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch

A former job search client told me about how a first interview with a prospective employer got off to a great start because she was learning about the employer. Prior to her interview she had been online and noticed a news story about the company, which she referenced in the “small talk” introductions. The hiring manager hadn’t seen the article, so was grateful for her bringing it up and it offered them an opportunity to connect. The rest of interview went well.

This is a good example of the importance of doing your homework about a potential employer. In some cases that can be accomplished in online research—the web site of the employer, online review sites and social networking sites can all be useful.

In other cases you need to do some networking with people you know who may have insights or can introduce you to people who do.

There are twelve training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout. This content is free. Please consider passing along to friend or loved one who may need help: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources

I was conducting a workshop with a group of people who had lost their jobs because of a plant closure. They all knew and worked with each other. I had given the group an exercise for each person to think about their successes at work, which can provide insights into strengths.

One gentleman couldn’t think of any. His colleagues all jumped in to remind him of several successes he had. He told the group he “just thought that was what he was supposed to do in his job.” Although that may have been true, his friends reminded him he did those things very well!

You may have done some things for so long that you don’t realize how special that ability could be to another employer. Think about your successes, and take time to get feedback from others about your successes. What you’ve achieved in your prior work could be the exact kind of work another employer is looking for, so spend time thinking about your successes, even those you may consider modest.

There are twelve training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout the videos reference. This content is free. Please consider passing along to friend or loved one who may need help: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources

#career #careercoach #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch

I’m sure you’re worried about getting a job and want to spend most of your time responding to postings and networking, but I’d like to encourage you to take time to consider jobs that fit your skills and interests.

How are skills and interests different? I love to play golf (interest), but for the life of me I can’t make a three-foot putt (poor skill). On the other hand, I’m actually pretty good at project management (skill) but I hate doing it (definitely not an interest). If we find a job where skills and interests align we’re likely to be happier and more successful.

There are a number of free self-assessments out there and some for a nominal fee. None of them are perfect, but they can give you guidance. Additionally, ask others who know you to provide feedback on what they see in your skills.

There are twelve training videos on the web site of my faith community and a handout the videos reference. There are additional details about asssessments. This content is free. Please consider passing along to friend or loved one who may need help: https://www.thetablempls.com/jobresources