Job Search Tools

How to Find Job Search Clubs

November 27, 2018 By Marta Goertzen

Don’t be alone in your job search – find local job search groups so you don’t feel so alone.

Dear Interview Doc,

I understand there are groups out there that help job seekers learn how to find jobs. What’s the deal? How do I find one of those groups in Orlando FL?

Feeling blind in Orlando

Dear Looking,

Job search is tough. Being alone in your job search just makes it tougher. Job search support groups bring job seekers together to exchange information, share best practices and have someone else to talk to. I can’t underestimate the value of having a place to go periodically just to get out of the house!

In northeast Ohio, where I am based, there are some very fine job search support groups. Most are staffed by volunteers, some meet in local libraries or churches and some are sponsored by executive search firms. Many of these groups have LinkedIn Groups and websites. The trick is finding them.

Here are some great ideas to find the job search support group in your area:

Google “Job search groups YOUR TOWN”. When I typed in “job search groups Cleveland” I found all the groups I am familiar with in Northeast Ohio. They each have websites that include contact information.
LinkedIn Search. In the big white search box in the upper left hand corner I typed, “job search groups Cleveland” and up popped a bunch of names of people affiliated with northeast Ohio job search groups. If you click on those people, you will see their affiliation with job seekers groups. You can reach out to connect with those people and with the job seekers groups they represent.
Execunet is a national networking group affiliated with recruiters. The group in northeast Ohio is sponsored by Ratliff & Taylor, a large regional executive search firm that also offers outplacement services. Two groups meet monthly, one for folks making about $100k or more and another group for very senior executives making $200k or more. There is a small fee to attend the twice monthly meetings. They usually have a speaker, someone like me who specializes in some aspect of job search, but the bulk of the meeting is networking. Execunet has similar groups around the country. Some are more active than others. It is a wonderful way to meet people. Google Execunet associated with the major city near you to see if you have a local group near you. Then reach out to the organizer to get invited to the next meeting.
LinkedIn Groups. Everyone, particularly job seekers, should participate in LinkedIn Groups to network with people who can help. Many job search support groups have LinkedIn Groups. You can find the group in your geography by searching inside LinkedIn for “Job search Cleveland” or similar words until you find groups that sound like they are job seekers groups.
Meetup is a great place to find job search or career networking groups. Each of these groups has meetings. Each group is trying to find more people to attend so it makes sense they post their meetings on Meetup. I went to meetup.com and selected “50 miles” of “Orlando FL” for a client of mine in Orlando. Then in the search box I typed in career. I found many different networking opportunities for folks interested in improving their careers. Other keywords you can enter are “job search”, “career”, or “business networking”. Be creative. Check out the individual meetings to see which ones make sense for you. Inside each event you can find contact information about the organizers and even the people who plan to attend. Plus, if you get bored you can get a giggle over the strange and weird groups you find!
Facebook. You can search Facebook events to find events posted by groups focused on networking and job search. Connect with the organizers to see if this groups can be helpful.
Libraries. Many libraries view helping constituents with job search and careers as part of their mission so they often sponsor job seekers groups. You can ask the reference librarian at your local library if he or she knows about groups or meetings you can attend.

A final bit of advice. Job search is a numbers game. You need to meet lots of people to conduct an effective job search. Those people often gather at networking meetings. When you attend a networking meeting, ask the people you meet about other groups they know about that you might find useful.

Check out The Interview Doctor’s Free Job Search and Career Transition Training for more ideas on how to move your job search forward!

Are You a LinkedIn Believer for your Job Search?

October 2, 2018 By Marta Goertzen

Have you tried using LinkedIn for your Job Search?

Brian doubted me but he tried it anyway. He is setting up a consulting practice while searching for a job. I suggested that the same techniques to market a consulting practice on social media can be applied to job search. In his case, he could get a double whammy with some strategic social media marketing.

Basic marketing techniques for consulting practices often include creating or sharing content on social media that supports your business philosophy so readers can understand your application to their needs. The content must be interesting and it must be placed directly in the path of the ideal client. These techniques also apply to job search.

Brian took me up on it!

He wrote a great blog article describing his sales process, a method of sales effectiveness or process improvement reflected in his website and consulting materials. This is the technique Brian has used with proven results.

The response was swift and positive. He received several messages from potential clients. A CEO called to activate a seemingly dormant job opportunity. The post received 2300+ views in two weeks! Isn’t that wonderful?

Brian is still shaking his head. Of course there is no guarantee that the first effort will bring in paying clients. Marketing is just marketing until someone makes a purchase. This is just the start, laying the groundwork for future relationship building. Brian is a true believer now in the power of LinkedIn to get his message out.

You can use this same technique to put your career or job search message out in front of the ideal company. What do you stand for? What techniques do you have that have proven successful in the past that someone might find useful to solve a business problem in another organization?

Check out The Interview Doctor’s Career Advancement Tip Sheet for more ideas on how to reach your target audience!

Where is the Interview Doctor in July?

June 26, 2018 By Marta Goertzen

Here are the locations where Katherine will be speaking in July.

There are links to the events that are open to the public to register and attend.

Date: July 10, 2018
Time: 8:30 – 11am
Topic: Job Search Marketing Plan
Location: Cleveland Clinic Akron General Wellness Center, 1940 Town Park Blvd, Uniontown, OH 44685
Public Event

Date: July 18, 2018
Time: 8:30 – 10 am
Topic: Which Job is the Best Job… for You?
Location: Beachwood Public Library
Private Event

Date: July 24, 2018
Time: 9 – 11 am
Topic: Engagement for a Competitive Advantage
Location: Aultman Hospital Canton OH
Private Event

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Another Better Use for Job Postings

June 19, 2018 By Marta Goertzen

Responding to job postings is an ineffective way to find a new job.

The chances of finding a job from a job posting are in the single digits. I can never find the citation for that statistic but trust me it is true. That doesn’t mean you don’t respond to ads but it does mean you probably won’t find your next job through a posting.

We don’t rely on job postings to find a job. But we CAN use job postings to explore careers! I bet you didn’t think I was going there, did you?

Yes, I have found a use for job ads.

Each job description is a little different, highlighting different priorities and perhaps even revealing a little about the company culture. Since every possible configuration of job description can be found on the Interwebs these days, companies do us a favor by creating a handy place to research new careers! A veritable treasure trove of career opportunities at a click of a button!

I call this a “stupid, simple” exercise:

My favorite place to go is Indeed.com because they consolidate ads from all sorts of places into one central research hub.
You will see two boxes: “What” and “Where”. Keep the “Where” box blank. We don’t care where in the world the job is located since we are not applying for jobs.
In the “What” box enter keywords that relate to the job or career you want.
Start reading job descriptions.

That is it. Start reading job descriptions until you find several jobs that are so amazing you would move to Alaska to take that job. That is the high bar we need to achieve to be sure you found the best career for you.

Simple right? Who would have guessed that job ads could be so useful? No assessments. No long hours spent staring at our belly buttons.

Let’s use the free resources at our fingertips to explore new careers before we jump into something new! With that in mind, check out The Interview Doctor’s free resource, The 10 BEs to Grow Your Career for more tips!

When You Leave, Smile

May 16, 2018 By Katherine Burik

It is hard to leave a job.

The people, the relationships, the experience, all matter. They help to shape us professionally and personally. So when a layoff occurs, the loss can be painful.

Sometimes we can actually feel relief when we leave an employer. Not every job is a good fit and after a few years things can change at a company. What was once a “great place to work” can become a place to “bide time” until something better comes along.

Whether you are happy or devastated , you will need to speak well of your previous employer (even if you cannot think of a good thing to say). No matter what, never bad mouth an employer. If you do, your chances of successfully courting a new employer are next to zero. So prepare to offer a positive, professional explanation as to why you left.

Remember, the more bridges you burn, the less likely any employer will want to bring you on board. So smile, be honest and always respectful. Drop the anger, resentment and bitterness and move on with your career and your life.

Are you ready to explain why you left your last employer, especially one for whom good feelings are not there? What will you say? – Norma Sweeny

Here’s some extra job search resources to check out to help you in your job transition:

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