And why it never will be

January 11, 2011
The HR Wiz

I wanted to take the month of January to kick off the blog by talking about something that is probably at the top of many New Year’s resolution lists: finding a new job. Specifically, I want to talk about something that I feel is commonly overlooked during a job search, and that is personal presentation. Most people spend so much time focusing on how to present their experience and skills that they neglect their personal presentation. I think the main point that I want to get across here is; how you present yourself is just as important as how you present your qualifications. I’ve devised some quick tips to help job seekers ensure that they are not being held back by their personal presentation.

Approach your job search as you would a new relationship
The significant periods of a new relationship are very similar to the significant periods of your job search. Think about it, you have the courtship- where one party displays an interest in the other with hopes of attracting the other’s attention, you have the first date- where both parties present themselves, you have the dating period- where the two parties are test-driving the new arrangement to see how it works, and finally you have the long-term relationship- where both parties feel a mutual connection and a strong bond. If you want the long-term relationship, you need to go through the initial steps and there are rules along the way! If you play your cards right, your chances of ending up in a working relationship are the greatest. A job search is no different and a successful professional will be one that has mastered the art of relationship building. Let’s explore each of these steps in greater detail:

Step #1- The Courtship:
This is often the most difficult step for people. Figuring out where to start can be stressful and overwhelming. Before you begin your job search, take some time to think about where you are in your career, where you want to be, and what path you are going to take to get there. Figure out what positions you will be targeting and how your skill set and experience profile syncs up with those opportunities. Here are some quick tips for a successful courtship of your new job:

1. The Minuteman (or woman!) (always be ready)
When you’re actively searching for work, you never know when an opportunity will present itself. This means that you have to be constantly ready to meet that unexpected opportunity with your best foot forward. Case in point, if you’ve applied for jobs, be ready for a phone call regarding your application. If you have a personal phone that only you answer, always list that number on your resume/application. The last thing you want is for someone else (like your crazy family) to answer that phone call and ruin your opportunity before it happens. And if you absolutely have to list a shared phone as your contact, make sure everyone who uses that phone knows to be on their best behavior! One last tip about readiness, if ever you’re caught off-guard by an opportunity, don’t panic. Let’s say you’re sleeping past 9:00 am (hey, I’m not judging you) and you are suddenly shaken into consciousness by your Justin Bieber ring-tone, you don’t recognize the number on your caller-id, it’s probably someone calling about an application you submitted. Instead of answering your phone with a half-yawning voice, just let it go to voicemail (assuming that when you began to look for employment you changed your voicemail greeting to something professional). Then, wake yourself up, collect your thoughts, and promptly return the call. You were caught off-guard, but there is no need to broadcast that fact to your prospective employer on the other end of the line.

2. “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” (be confident and smooth)
How you carry yourself speaks volumes about your character and work ethic. To be truly attractive to prospective employers, you need to project an air of confidence. Be careful here, this doesn’t mean that you should come off as arrogant, but people want to see that you believe in yourself. Speaking intelligently and with confidence will show employers that you are a competent professional that can add value to their organization.


3. “She’s out of your league, kid.” (be realistic)
I know it may not be a popular notion, but at a certain point you have to realize that there are some pursuits that aren’t going to pay off for you. Keep a level head about what opportunities you are going after. It’s ok to take risks, and occasionally you may even shoot for the moon, but have a serious thought about your professional caliber and make a realistic choice about which jobs you apply for.

4. Restraining order 101 (don’t come off too strong)
A surefire way to get a prospective partner to head for the hills is to come across as pushy or desperate. Employers are the same way. Don’t bombard them with phone calls and emails, don’t send your resume to them 100 times, and don’t try to force yourself on them. These tactics have never worked and they never will.

5. “He’s just not that into you.” (take the hint)
Pay attention to the subtleties of the process. Usually, if an employer is interested in you, they will let you know. If they’re ignoring your resume or phone calls/emails, then they’re probably not going to hire you. Be polite and respectful, when an employer’s actions are saying, “no, thanks”, pick yourself up and start looking in other areas. If you waste too much time with an organization that’s not going to give you a chance, you may miss opportunities elsewhere. Now this is not to say that you should throw in the towel at the first sign of difficultly, sometimes with large organizations it may take a few applications before you are noticed within their systems- that’s ok. The main point that I want to get across here is, read between the lines, make a realistic assessment of the prospective employer’s interest in you and act accordingly.

6. It’s all about who you know (put yourself out there)
You’re never going to find a date sitting at home by yourself. You need to go out and socialize. The same is true about finding a job. You need to put yourself out there and start mixing it up with professionals who ultimately may be able to help you secure employment. This is called networking and you need to become good at it. It is a professional skill that, if mastered, can be a powerful tool in your arsenal. There is too much to say about networking to fit into this small section, but the main point is that the more people who know that you’re looking for work, the faster you will learn about suitable opportunities for you.

7. “Get your act together.” (look good on paper)
You wouldn’t start your search for a significant other without looking your best, and you shouldn’t begin a job search without first making sure that your professional presentation is as neat as possible. For most people, this means a resume. In many cases, your resume will be your one and only first impression to a new employer. You need to make sure that your resume is neat, classy, and an accurate representation of who you are as a professional. If this means going to an employment professional for help, then so be it. Think of it like getting your hair cut before you hit the town to look for a date- it’s common sense. I plan on looking at resume writing in-depth in the coming months so stick around for some valuable information. If you’re not confident that your resume clearly communicates your professional abilities, and you don’t want to wait around, I suggest you find a career counselor to look at your resume and provide advice.

8. “Yea, I work for NASA” (don’t oversell yourself)
When talking about yourself, be sure to communicate your strengths, but be careful not to take too many liberties. Just like telling a guy or girl that you work for NASA, it may be impressive initially, but eventually they will discover the truth and it’s not going to work out. Remember, the goal here is not to get to a first date by ridiculously up-selling your abilities; you need to be focused on building and fostering a long-term relationship. This requires honesty and truthfulness.

9. “Aw, shucks” (don’t undersell yourself)
This is simply the other side of the coin from the previous point. While it’s off-putting to be cocky and arrogant, it can be equally as a off-putting dealing with someone who downplays their accomplishments. If you’ve done something that you’re proud of, don’t be afraid to pat yourself on the back and let others know too. Everyone has unique abilities and skill sets and you need to be able to tastefully communicate yours.

10. Fear of rejection (don’t get discouraged)
I’m going to be brutally honest here, you’re going to hear a lot of “no’s” during this period. You can’t let this derail you from your mission. Everyone deals with rejection when they’re searching for work and you just have to be able to take it and move on. The most successful professionals today have heard more “no’s” than most people have. The difference between the winners and the losers in the professional world is that the winners didn’t give up because they were rejected. Use the rejection you face as a motivator that drives you to be more successful, not a crutch or a stumbling block.