Pomp & Surkanstance: Job Search Trenches

Showing posts with label Job Search Trenches. Show all posts

11 September 2010

job search tales: Making the most of networking events

In this episode, Paul Anderson shares his strategies for getting the most out of networking events. There are numerous social mixers and gatherings for professionals to attend, but you need a plan to really benefit from them. The work starts before you even go to a networking event by 1) picking the right events for you and 2) going prepared with goals and research that will allow you to be effective. Paul also offers strategies for how to strike up conversations, and kindle relationships that will help achieve your career goals.

You can find out about Paul’s ideas and career strategy courses here:
http://prolango.com

NOTE: Please contact Michael if you are interested in being a guest on "Tales from the job search trenches" podcasts. Michael would like to discuss your job search strategy, and brainstorm ways to improve it with you.

10 September 2010

job search tales: Grades alone aren't enough to get a job

In this episode Dan Hallak shares his experiences helping college students plan their careers, helping them develop strategies to build portfolios, and industry contacts, long before they graduate. It's not good enough to just have good grades anymore. College grads have to have a focussed career strategy. Luckily, Dan explains how colleges offer great resources to help both students, and professionals in the broader community, develop career strategies. Students can even "double-dip", using their course-work as tools to build those all critical relationships with the business world.

You can check out more about the career services offered by Dan, and his colleagues at Bellevue College here:

http://bellevuecollege.edu/careers/

24 June 2010

Linked:Seattle Radio: Seattle Job Search Mojo

In this episode of Linked:Seattle Radio, professional recruiter John Polhill guest hosts a discussion about "How to get your Successful Job Search & Interview Mojo back & get hired tomorrow." HR expert, and Linked:Seattle Career Center manager, Lesa Keller also joins the show with Matt Youngquist, a career coach in the Seattle area to offer their advice on job searches as well.

If you are wondering whether employers are only interesting in candidates who already have jobs, or if it is career limiting to take jobs beneath your qualifications, or just want to hear about how to keep your energy up as a job seeker, this is the show you need to hear.

Listen to internet radio with Linked:Seattle Radio on Blog Talk Radio

NOTE: The Linked:Seattle Career Center is the best place on LinkedIn to find jobs in Seattle and participate in discussions with area recruiters, career coaches, and job candidates. You can also check out Michael Surkan’s "Tales from the job search trenches" podcasts.

20 May 2010

job search tales: Plan your job search as well as your vacation

In this episode Cindy Pain explains how a little bit of preparation, and research, can go a long way to creating a successful job search. Put at least as much effort planning your strategy for getting a new job as you do in planning a vacation. Cindy also provides insights on interviews: once you've got that interview, the job is already yours, just don't lose it.

You can check out Cindy's career consulting firm at http://www.lhh.com/.

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NOTE: Please contact Michael if you are interested in being a guest on "Tales from the job search trenches" podcasts. Michael would like to discuss your job search strategy, and brainstorm ways to improve it with you.

15 May 2010

Linked:Seattle radio - Finding a job in Seattle

In this very first Linked:Seattle radio show, Michael speaks with Jordan Shaw and Lesa Keller about looking for jobs in Seattle. We answer calls from job seekers, and share tips that can be useful to all candidates.

11 May 2010

Michael: The Model Job Seeker

Matt Youngquist wrote a very flattering piece on his career coaching blog, highlighting my podcasting and entrepreneurial efforts. Who'd have thunk that I would be cited as an example for others to emulate?

If nothing else, hearing such kind words certainly buoys my spirits, which can take a drubbing now and again, as I keep slogging away with a lengthy job search.

As a “new media” aficionado and somebody who had always prided himself on proactive thinking and creative problem-solving, he decided the best path to his career future would be to go on offense, rather than defense.

The result? After setting up a simple blog portal, Pomp & Surkanstance, Michael started reaching out to dozens of local entrepreneurs, technology luminaries, and business leaders — not to ask them for a job, but to ask to interview them for a special series of podcasts he had decided to start producing. He branded this project “Entrepreneurs Northwest” and found that his invitations were usually received with open arms...

So if you’re in transition and feeling a bit rudderless at the moment, I’ve got just three words for you. Be like Mike. Go on offense. Create momentum. Find a way to start working on something, even if it’s not a revenue-producing something. As any career coach worth their salt could tell you, the real opportunities aren’t found sitting behind a computer, they’re found out in the market and you find them by talking to lots and lots of people. So conjure up your own project that will facilitate some relevant conversations — and go for it!

You can read the full article on Matt's site.

27 April 2010

job search tales: Making the recruiter your best friend

In this episode Ryan Lum explains how building relationships with recruiters can pay-off. Good recruiters know the value in bulding a network of quality people who they can call on for information or jobs. Recruiters can offer insights on employers, and give tips that help those interviews go over the top.

You can find more information about jobs available through Ryan's agency at http://www.greythorn.com/.

14 April 2010

job search tales: Finding a job is all about marketing

In this episode Dennis Buckmaster explains how the search for a job is a marketing and sales challenge. Job seekers shouldn't waste their time doing an excessive amount of networking, instead they should directly approach the companies they wish to work for with the same determination, and strategy, of a star salesman. A resume is your brochure, and interviews are the face-to-face sales pitch. This is not a time to be bashful: you have a product to sell, and you have to close.

You can find more information about Dennis' ideas for building a successful job search at http://www.dennisbuckmasterassociates.com/.

08 April 2010

job search tales: 5 biggest job seeker mistakes

In this episode Matt Youngquist shares his decades of experience in career coaching to tell about the 5 biggest mistakes job seekers make. Matt explains how many people spend too much time on resumes and innefectual networking activities, amongst other things.

You can check out more of Matt's ideas at http://www.career-horizons.com/.

01 February 2010

Microsoft Program Management for Dummies - Live, and on-line!

I will be giving my presentation about Program Management at Microsoft in a live (and FREE) web-cast at 12:00pm (Pacific Time) on February, Wednesday the 3rd. I will be taking time to answer questions at the end of the presentation.

You can look up details on how to register to participate in the web-cast here.

You can watch the existing recording of this presentation (given in August 2009) any time.

10 January 2010

seeking CTO for fast growing affiliate startup

If you are a talented internet software engineer, with deep experience working on web sites and databases looking for a ground floor opportunity in a startup, I want to talk with you!

I am a partner with a company that is setting up a network of auto service shops that pay referral fees for customers who come through our service. We generate the majority of our customers by signing up non-profits to receive donations every time one of their supporters get their cars serviced at a member shop. We charge the shops 5% of the gross bill for every customer we send them, and we give the charities 3%. The beauty of this is that the charities do all the hard work of marketing our service (i.e. telling anyone and everyone to get their cars repaired at our member shops), keeping our costs super low.

Our business model is self-financing , and will start generating revenue within months. This isn’t some pie-in-the-sky dream that hopes for a pay-off way in the future. Because we will be generating cash soon, and because our technology and marketing needs are modest, we are confident we can be self-financing, and will not need to give away big chunks of equity to investors.

We are currently starting off by getting this business (www.referredautorepairs.com) running in British Columbia. Once we are fully running there we plan on taking it across North America by the end of the 2010.

The best part is that we are seeing a simply PHENOMENAL demand for this. Charities are almost beating down our door asking to participate, and a LOT of auto repair shops are really hurting, making them eager to sign up. The worse the economy gets, the better it is for us as charities get more desperate for new funding sources, and service shops look for new ways to find customers.

The downside is that we are very cash poor right now, and really can’t afford to pay a CTO anything at the moment. Our back-end is our weakest link, and our reliance on off-shore developers is just taking far too long. We are currently a business of salesmen and marketers, but lack the technical skill to make the back-end hum smoothly.

This is the chance of a life-time for any web developer who is able to sustain themselves for a few months while putting in a lot of sweat equity into putting the finishing touches on this venture into place. We already have a lot of the back-end built (using the LAMP stack), and it won’t take a lot to get the very basics working. As soon as we have a working system to accept the on-line customer shop bookings, we will have a huge pipeline of PAYING customers to use it.

Most of the people in this company are in British Columbia and Seattle, but we don’t mind working with people who live elsewhere in North America. Most of our work is virtual anyway.

If this sounds interesting, just let me know and I would be happy to talk with you and share details.

15 December 2009

Tales from the job search trenches: anatomy of a job search

Join Michael's discussions with fellow job seekers and job placement professionals to look at the different strategies people are using, and brainstorm on ways to make job search efforts more effective.

http://surkanstance.blogspot.com/search/label/job%20search

14 December 2009

job search tales: how to get recommendations without even asking

In this episode of "Tales from the job search trenches", Marissa Marsala explains how recommendations can be instrumental in helping a candidate stand out. Writing recommendations for others can be more effective in getting reciprocal testimonials than just asking for someone to write them for you.

Check out more advice from Marissa at http://employerandcandidateconnection.blogspot.com/.

08 December 2009

job search tales: The Undercover Lawyer tells job candidates how to use the law to their advantage

In this episode of "Tales from the job search trenches", the Undercover Lawyer explains how legal issues can have a significant impact on how employers choose employees. There are a lot of practical things that applicants can do to alleviate the liability concerns their employers might harbour, but are afraid to voice. In a tough job market it makes sense for job seekers to take legal considerations into account as they search for a new job.

Check out more advice from the Undercover Laywer at http://www.undercoverlawyer.com/.

02 December 2009

job search tales: By the time a job is posted on the web it's too late

In this episode of "Tales from the job search trenches", Kelly Harington explains that tapping the hidden job market requires a lot of effective networking, and how to go about doing it. The earlier a candidate can get in front of a hiring manager the better. By the time a job actually gets posted on a public web site it is often too late to get noticed over the crush of applicants.

Check out http://careermaxgroup.com/ for more of Kelly's ideas on how to build a successful career.

26 November 2009

Job search tales: The human touch still matters when selecting candidates at Google

In this episode of "Tales from the job search trenches", Beverly Friedman talks about the challenges she faces doing recruiting at Google, and what candidates do to torpedo their chances. Its no surprise that Google uses automated tools to help sort through the deluge of applicants, but in the end a human being still looks at the resumes and having a friend in the company helps.

NOTE: Please contact Michael if you are interested in being a guest on "Tales from the job search trenches" podcasts. Michael would like to discuss your job search strategy, and brainstorm ways to improve it with you.

23 November 2009

Job search tales: Ask not for help in your job search, ask what you can do to help

In this episode of "Tales from the job search trenches", Kevin Kermes explains that today's challenging employment market requires a different approach by job seekers. Candidates need to find activities which allow them to both demonstrate their skills, learn, and network at the same time. Offering free advice, and help, to companies you are interested in working for can build those relationships you will need to get your job. Don't just send a resume asking for a job, tell people how you are going to help them.

Check http://www.kevinkermes.com/ezinesignup/ for more of Kevin's ideas on how to build a successful job search strategy.

Job search tales: Executives approach job searches differently

In this episode of "Tales from the job search trenches", Mark Hovind explains that 6 figure executives approach job searches in a very different way from the average job seeker. They pay good money to market themselves. Networking is certainly a good tool, but it has its limitations, and highly compensated individuals understand the need to run marketing campaigns. In particular, Mark has seen that mass mailings by post can bear real results in small to mid-sized organizations, which don't typically post their openings on public job boards.

Check out http://www.jobbait.com/ for information on how job-seekers can hire a service to market them, or see the free information on how to do-it-yourself.

17 November 2009

Job search trenches: Christian Buckley says job searches take patience and a willingness to volunteer

In this episode of "Tales from the job search trenches", Christian Buckley talks about how job candidates have to stay busy, doing projects, and work, to keep them mentally fit, and in an optimistic mood, even if that next great role is taking a while to appear. After departing from Microsoft, it took Christian nearly 6 months to find his new position, and this was with a company he had talked with, and kept meeting with, from his first days as a job seeker. His efforts of providing free consulting, and help with clients, for his new employer eventually landed him the job he was after. Candidates need to be patient, and willing to give their time and expertise freely.

Check out http://buckleyplanet.typepad.com/ for more information on Christian's journey in the job search world, and his happy ending with a new employer.

09 November 2009

Job search tales: Your next job may be with your ex-employer

In this episode of "Tales from the job search trenches", Jennifer Ellis explains how companies such as Microsoft often like hiring alumni to fill new openings. Job seekers should consider their previous employers as places to work, and ex-employers often value the knowledge of the business, and organizations, that they bring to the table. Better still, the connections that alumni have with their ex-employers give them a distinct advantage over other applicants. Jennifer also offers tips for how alumni, who have been through lay-offs or other difficult situations, when leaving their previous employers can get in a healthy mental state before applying for new jobs.

Jennifer offers more specific help to Microsoft alumni at http://www.microsoftalumni.com/, where ex-employees can find a variety of services and community.

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NOTE: Please contact Michael if you are interested in being a guest on "Tales from the job search trenches" podcasts. Michael would like to discuss your job search strategy, and brainstorm ways to improve it with you.