Mark Hirschfeld

.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.

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Have you applied for a job at a company, had an interview, and then never heard back?

You’ve been “ghosted”.

Sadly, many employers don’t follow up with candidates who aren’t moving forward on a job. It is, in my view, lazy, disrespectful and unprofessional on the part of an employer. It can hurt their brand. Even if you don’t get this job, you are still a potential future employee, referrer and a customer.

As a job seeker, what should you do?

~ If you had what you thought was a good interview that you think might lead to an offer, DON’T STOP SEARCHING. Keep looking. You are in control of your search.

~ Check your networking contacts to see if you know someone can help.

~ Finally, take the high road. Send one last note to the recruiter or hiring manager. Express your disappointment they have not followed up and wish them well.

Stick to your plan. Do your homework. Tell your story.

It’s a new day. Let’s get going.

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There was an article in the newspaper about a woman who was recently invited for an in-person job interview. She thought it went well but didn’t get a call back.

She followed up and found the position had been filled. When she asked why they hired someone else, they said: “When you came in for an interview you wore your mask the entire time. We thought you might be one of those people who will complain about every safety issue.”

Each of us will need to decide about what kind of work environment for which we will feel comfortable. In the case above, the woman was actually relieved she found out that their values regarding safety weren’t the same as hers and went onto her next career opportunity.

I used to work for a utility that highly valued safety, and I never felt unsafe when I worked there. That was important to me, so in that case my values and the values of my employer were aligned.

Use online resources to understand the safety culture of a prospective employer. Additionally, you can use networking skills to gain additional insights.

Do your homework. Find a job that is right for you in an environment and culture that fits what is important to you.

#career #careercoach #jobhuntingtips #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch #jobsearchtips

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As I look back on my career, there are several folks who mentored me and, in doing so, significantly contributed to my growth and development.

My mentors encouraged me, stimulated my thinking, introduced me to new people and experiences, and offered timely advice.

And, yes, they occasionally coached and corrected.

The main quality of an effective mentor is a person who will take the time to meet with you and offer some of what I mentioned above. They don’t necessarily have to be older or have more education or training. You need to be open to honest discussion feedback and guidance.

You might not see the exchange as mutual, but a good relationship can be of value to the mentor as well, who enjoys the opportunity to help.

As Bruce Springsteen sings: “nobody goes it alone.”

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The psychologist Carl Jung said: “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.”

There will be people you meet in your job search that might even have tested the great Dr. Jung, but his admonition rings.

Along the way you will meet networking contacts, recruiters, hiring managers and others who will say or do things that will irritate you.

Lean in, just for a bit, into the irritation.

~ Is there a certain topic, perhaps of your work history, that makes you uncomfortable?

~ Is it something about the person? Is there a bias you have for which you are not aware?

~ Is it something about the setting? There are some work environments, for example, I’ve found to be less comfortable for me.

Early in my career I learned that I wasn’t comfortable with conflict. It irritated me. But over the years as I’ve come to appreciate and see the value in conflict, it is a bit easier for me to understand that the irritation I’m feeling might take me and others to a better place of understanding and action.

Don’t immediately dismiss some of those irritating moments. Reflect on them. Learn from them. Help them strengthen and inform you on your job search and beyond.

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“Be bold, but wary! Keep up your merry hearts, and ride to meet your fortune!”

This a line from J.R.R Tolkien, but it’s not in the Lord of the Rings movies– you would have to read the trilogy.

To me, it’s a wonderful call to action.

Folks out of work might lack confidence. That’s understandable, but please remember you have skills and abilities and goals for which there is an employer who is looking for someone just like you.

But do be wary—not every job or company is a great match for you. Do your homework and find the right opportunity.

And be merry! Take a positive mindset into every contact and every interaction. You will have disappointments, but keep a positive attitude throughout and have supportive friends at your side when things get tough.

Get out of your hobbit hole and get moving with your job search. Be bold. Be wary. Keep your heart merry.

Your next opportunity is out there.

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Don’t you just love job interviews? (Tongue firmly planted in cheek)

This is a question you’re likely to get in a job interview, so best you think about how you will respond.

Recruiters and hiring managers have told me that by asking you to respond “to what a former manager would say” you are revealing what you think about yourself.

Tricky!

Think carefully about what descriptors you use to answer this question, because what you say may be telling a prospective employer a lot more than you think. You can also use this as an opportunity to provide an example or two of your successes and accomplishments.

And, of course, be honest.

This is one of those questions for which you will want to practice (there’s that awful word “practice”) with a friend. Record your response and review. Think about how well your response represents you and helps advance your search.

So, what would a former boss or coworker say about you?

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A friend of mine didn’t seem happy with his current job and industry. He was paid well and was good at what he did but felt like there would be other work that would provide him with additional satisfaction.

He decided to conduct a series of confidential networking interviews with folks in two industries for which he had interest.

Before his interviews he did some research, learning about the industries, trends and challenges. He then had confidential conversations with several folks in the industry. After the meetings he told me:

“Mark, I guess the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.”

He didn’t make a career change, but he viewed the effort as a success. In his case, he learned that he actually was in a pretty good position and recommitted himself.

If you have a job, it doesn’t hurt to look. You may find a great opportunity, or you may find the grass on your side of the fence is just fine.

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While most of us want our dream job, the reality is we may have to settle for something less.

If an ideal job isn’t available, you can choose a “bridge job”, which I define as less than ideal but one you can be employed now and use to “bridge” to that better opportunity.

Sometimes a bridge job is just about getting a paycheck. But here are some other ways you can think about this tactic:

• Learn a new skill. Consider bridge jobs where you can learn a new skill or gain experience that would make you more valuable for your future dream job.
• Make new contacts. Choose a job where you could make some contacts that could help you in your career.
• References. Be awesome in your bridge job so that you earn a reference.

Not all bridge jobs are created equal. If you choose this route, pick a bridge job that helps you move forward, which gets you from one side of the bridge to the other.

It’s a great day. Let’s get moving.

#career #careercoach #jobhuntingtips #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch #jobsearchtips  #jobsearchcoach #jobsearchhelp #jobsearchstrategies

I reached out to ten folks who’ve been in the job search coaching business to help identify the most commons mistakes job interviewees make:

1. Being unprepared, including not doing homework to understand the employer and the job,

2. Not using your understanding of the prospective employer to ask your own questions,

3. Being late,

4. Speaking poorly of a former employer or boss,

5. Lying,

6. Failing to give responses that showcase results you have provided that can help them contribute to their success,

7. Having a bad attitude,

8. Not following up after the interview,

9. Sharing too much information that isn’t relevant to the job, and

10.  Inappropriate attire.

The good news is each of these mistakes can be easily avoided—prepare, prepare, prepare.

It’s a new day. Improve the way you tell you story, in networking conversations and job interviews. Used this list a guide to improve how you present yourself to the marketplace.

In the meantime, I’m keeping a good thought for you!

#career #careercoach #jobhuntingtips #jobhunting #careers #jobsearch #jobsearchtips

 #jobsearchcoach #jobsearchhelp #jobsearchstrategies