| CAREERS NOW 08-17-08 |
| No Lazy Days in Finding the Job You Want |
DEAR JOYCE: I'm not new to the job search grind but the older I get, the worse
I seem to do at it. Do you have advice for me at 48? - L.G.O.
Cutting to the chase on your question, I quote a Web site's excellent job tips by one of America's most prolific
placement executives, Tony Beshara (tonybeshara.com). Beshara
has more trench experience than anyone I know - he's placed 7,000 people in jobs during his 30-year career. Beshara
is blunt. He says that anyone who claims that job search is easy and don't sweat it is dead wrong and trying to
peddle silly ideas. I agree. Finding a job is hard work and the challenge won't be met with half-hearted efforts.
Beshara outlines his successful formula for job search in 21 words:
-- Get interviews with many organizations.
-- Perform well on those interviews.
-- Secure a job offer.
-- Negotiate its terms.
-- Begin your new job.
Explaining further, Beshara emphasizes that his simple but not easy process is focused on answering one essential
question that every hiring manager is going to ask in his or her own words: What can you do for me that the
other people I'm interviewing cannot?
Writing a resume, phoning for an interview, working through a screening interview, and practicing your interviewing
skills are part of the prep: "All are designed to put you in front of that hiring manager and prepare you
to answer that question. Your follow-up communications are intended to secure your opportunity to answer that question
again for other decision influencers. Even as you negotiate the job offer, the employer is still seeking to confirm
by your actions that your answer to that question was accurate," the ace job placement pro says.
What if you don't bust your chops and work diligently to find a job when you need one? Beshara has an answer for
that too: "There are easier ways to find a job, and if you choose those methods over mine, you will get the
job you deserve - but not the one you want."
DEAR JOYCE: Out of work for 8 months, I attended a job networking meeting last night at the urging of a
friend who went with me to show me how to mingle. The experience was awful! I was so embarrassed and out of my
comfort zone. She wants me to go again next week - what can I tell her? - K.R.
Tell your friend thanks for pushing you out of your cocoon. Realize that everyone in a job networking meeting is
unemployed and that you're among friends. Write on an index card a cheat sheet of talking points to ease your jitters.
That's the word from two heavy-duty career coaches in a new book: "Job Search Bloopers: Every Mistake You
Can Make on the Road to Career Suicide ... and How to Avoid Them" by Laura DeCarlo and Susan Guarneri (Career
Press). The authors, who between them have heard every search flub I can think of, share wisdom learned from mistakes
that others have made.
If you've had too many going-nowhere turns in your road, the storytelling format of this guide can keep you from
getting lost.
DEAR JOYCE: What do you do when it becomes apparent that your interviewers have no ability to interview?
- J.C.
That's what I asked Mark S. James, recruiter and executive coach (coachingcatalyst.blogspot.com). His answer:
"Aim for a 50-50 conversation for both parties. You can get the interviewer talking by asking compelling questions,
such as 'What does the person hired for this position need to do in the first six to12 months to be successful?'
Focus on the daily issues or problems the company is facing so you can bring up related examples of your past accomplishments.
Another great question to ask is, 'What did the last person fail to do in this position?'
"Although you want to keep the conversation flowing in your favor, don't ramble. A good rule of thumb: No
interview answer should exceed two minutes."
Email Joyce
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