CAREERS NOW 06-09-10

Stop Shutouts For Job Interviews

DEAR JOYCE: Your column about not getting job interviews because your resume disappears was good information. Other than resume problems, what other things might I be doing wrong, or am I looking for interviews in all the wrong places? - S.J.

Any number of occurrences could be keeping you out of interview rooms. These six are among the most common.

1) You fail to tailor a cover letter that addresses the specific requirements of the position as described in an ad. You note duties and responsibilities while ignoring accomplishments. (Step back and review why you made a difference at former places of employment.)

2) You neglect to use contacts who can make a direct introduction. Employers give greater consideration to candidates who are referred by employees, friends and acquaintances. (Referrals move you from stranger to insider - or at least, not-so-strange status.)

3) You send correspondence and resumes to people at a company who are not even remotely involved in the hiring process. Even if your contact ultimately remembers to forward your self-marketing documents, they frequently do not come to the attention of a recruiter or hiring manager until long after the job has been filled. (The takeaway: Follow up with your contact.)

4) You have unrealistic job aspirations - the little engine that could, can't. (Stop applying for everything in sight; you know better.)

5) You price yourself beyond the salary range of the job. (Hop onto Salary.com or Payscale.com and smell the coffee.)

6) You are less than positive about your qualifications in phone screens with employers. Vague or indirect responses won't put you in interviewing category number one. (Bone up on phone screening tips.)

When you're guilty of any of these deficiencies, you know what to do.

DEAR JOYCE: Although, as a middle school teacher, I was "reprieved" after receiving a layoff notice for next year, I've had enough. How can I switch to the field of employee training? - C.A.M.

In becoming a corporate trainer, you teach people how to do their jobs, just as you teach students how to learn. Study contnt on these Web sites: American Society for Training & Development (astd.org) and Society for Human Resource Management (shrm.org). You'll have to join these groups to get the best stuff on their sites, but you'll figure it out - you're smart.

And that's why - with your other teacher attributes - you should check out a number of options before zeroing in on your target career-change zone.

Uber recruiting consultant Dr. John Sullivan has ideas in this regard. He has written that teachers are marvelous matches for corporate jobs because they are highly educated, holding at least a bachelor's degree, and many hold masters' and Ph.D.s; highly competent and goal-oriented with excellent communications and presentation skills; and adaptable and quick-learning with a teamwork mentality.

As Dr. Sullivan reminds us, many teachers are specialists in math, science and computers, so they could easily fit into technical jobs. Others will find rewards in sales or public relations. A Las Vegas hotel hires ex-elementary school teachers as bartenders.

Google "alternative careers for teachers" to find discussion forums and books on the topic. Speaking of Google, that company has hired numerous top professors to join its organization, says Dr. Sullivan.

DEAR JOYCE: Where do you weigh in on the controversy raging over privacy problems on Facebook? -M.H.

I come down on the side of caution because it holds the potential to negatively impact your job search. But a new breed of privacy-buster has hit the digital waves: people search engines.

For a $2.95-a- month subscription on Spokeo.com, anyone can find your name, age, ethnicity, marital status, religion, politics, address, home phone number, mobile phone number, e-mail address, social networking profiles, photos, videos and blogs, according to ABC News.

The information is only as accurate as its public-records sources, but as opposed to social media like Facebook.com, people search engines like Spokeo.com do not require you to sign up for anything in order for your information to be found. Check it out.

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