Job Expert Q&A: Scott Steinberg’s Top 10 Job Hunting Tips

Ten tips every 2010 job seeker should know, straight from our job hunting expert.

Searching for a job in 2010? Be glad, says our resident job expert, publisher Scott Steinberg, who’s advised over one billion people on using technology to find gainful employment. “Courtesy of the Web, social networks and online services, all the tools you need to find full- and part-time work, or start a promising new career, are right there at your fingertips,” he says. As a supplement to our online job hunting guide and rundown of vital career building strategies, we asked him to compile a list of ten job hunting tips that every serious professional should know. Following are his essential strategies for boosting your career or landing the job of your dreams:

1. Customize Your Resume

“One size fits nobody – you should always custom-tailor your resume to each different employer and position,” Steinberg insists. He also suggests looking for keywords (common terms recruiters might enter into computerized searches, such as “sales associate” or “senior engineer”) in job descriptions. Once identified, he says, work both these phrases and common alternatives into the document, and early on within it at that. Still, however you adjust it, your CV should also read naturally and be brief and to the point (think two pages max), while an individualized cover letter is imperative as well.

2. Focus Your Job Search

While large job search engines like Monster and CareerBuilder.com can be effective, you’re often better off using more targeted services focused on specific industries, salary ranges or regions, Steinberg says. Also worth noting, he claims: “It pays to concentrate on the 5-15 companies you’d most prefer to work for rather than employing a shotgun approach.” He recommends signing up for email newsletters, participating in online company forums or attempting to contact current employees for informational interviews, among other strategies. The thinking being that you won’t just do a better job by emphasizing quality over quantity – you’ll also maximize chances of being noticed.

3. Invest in Continuing Education

Best practices and technology standards change rapidly, according to Steinberg, making it imperative that you always stay abreast of the latest developments, whether currently employed on no. “Keeping your skills up-to-date and polished makes you more valuable to your employer, and shows an aptitude and willingness to change,” he says. This sort of flexibility is going to be even more important going forward, Steinberg claims, as a flooded marketplace comes under further pressure from an onslaught of new, newly unemployed and/or international workers also vying for a limited pool of positions.

4. Leverage Social Networks

Using social networks such as LinkedIn, Plaxo and Facebook, it pays to create a professional looking profile and source recommendations from friends and colleagues. Afterwards, says Steinberg, it’s important to actively set about connecting with peers, potential mentors and prospective employers and let them know you’re searching for work, especially since they’re literally all just a click away. “With upwards of eight in ten job opportunities going unadvertised these days, you really are who you know,” he asserts.

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5 Insider Tips for Job-Seeking College Grads

With unemployment still in the double digits, December college graduates face a grim job market

By Zach Miners

Posted December 30, 2009

The latest data from the Labor Department show that employers might be beginning to dip their toes back into the hiring waters, but that doesn't mean finding gainful employment will be easy for recent college graduates. It will take a combination of networking, assertiveness, and tech savvy to land that first job, counselors say.

Harrison Barnes, founder and CEO of the job search website EmploymentCrossing.com, says applying for jobs now could give winter graduates an edge. But heeding some key advice—not just winging it—is still a must. "It's not a seller's market. It's still a buyer's market," says Ed Koc, research director at the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Here are some strategies to keep in mind:

1. Make a personal connection before the interview. Scouring the job search boards online and sending out dozens of applications blind might sound like a solid way to get in the game, but experts say that all that does is get you lost in the shuffle. More and more employers are instead posting open positions to their own websites, so a slightly better strategy might be to decide which companies you're specifically interested in and then apply directly through the firm. But even that method might be an exercise in futility.

"The trick now isn't getting the interview and getting the job. It's getting the interview, period," says educational consultant Eric Yaverbaum, president of the website CollegeClickTV.com, which partners with U.S. News to provide video reviews of colleges nationwide. To do that, you're going to want to try to get to know, face to face, the people at the places where you're trying to get hired, before the interview.

One way to do that is to research the most prominent associations within the industry you're interested in and then attend their events and conferences. Every industry has them, they're scheduled regularly, and experts say it's a great way to start the networking process. If you want to go into public relations, for instance, check out the Public Relations Society of America. "Join the community you want to be a part of before you even have a job in it," says Yaverbaum. "That personal contact is what gets you remembered."

Mark Smith, assistant vice chancellor and director of the career center at Washington University in St. Louis, recommends talking shop with friends of parents and with parents of friends. But don't flat out ask for a job, he says.

"If you know what type of work you want to do, talk to them about the industry, and ask them if there are other people you should be networking with," says Smith. If you meet them at a party, tell them you want to learn more, and arrange to meet them for coffee or at their office. Dress nicely, bring a copy of your résumé, and ask them about other individuals or firms to contact. And keep the lines of communication open after that. If you do ask directly for a job, and he or she says no, the conversation could be over.

Going the online route is a good idea if you're using it for social networking. NACE estimates that almost a third of employers are using social networking websites, including Facebook, in their recruiting efforts. If you have a Facebook profile, consider tidying it up to look more professional, and post a status update such as "Looking for leads in the marketing field in New York," says Smith.

And think about creating a profile on LinkedIn.com. If you meet a potential contact in person, ask if you can connect with him or her on the site. But don't simply glue yourself to your computer screen. "It's easy to hide behind the Internet, but that's not enough," says Yaverbaum. "You want to get the people face to face."

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11 Twitter Tips - Job Search in 140 Characters

Guest editorial by Phil Rosenberg, ReCareered

Twitter is a fast growing tool, now being used for more serious purposes than advertise what you had for lunch. However, Twitter is a firehose of information, making it overwhelming for both the noobie and experienced user to find relevant information, or encourage relevant people to find your own information.

So how can job seekers make Twitter a part of their search strategy?

Getting found on Twitter: Recruiters and HR reps are now on Twitter looking for talent. In addition, Tweets are now indexed by Google, giving savvy candidates more visibility with recruiters and HR reps who search Google for candidates. Here are some ways you can encourage others to find you Twitter:

1. Tweet your resume: Store your resume online (suggestions: your ResuBlog or Online Portfolio, box.net, Google docs). Then tweet links along with industry information if you are a stealth candidate, or a statement that you are looking and some key words (ex: Java programmer) if you are active. Even stealth candidates can use this, since Twitter uses link shorteners, so the link you broadcast won’t contain the word resume or your name.

2. reTweet industry articles: This is Twitter’s way to “pass it on”. reTweeting industry articles is especially effective for passive job seekers who want to be found, but not be seen as an active job hunters by a current employer. As Tweets are now indexed by Google and can’t be erased once Tweeted, a direct statement that you’re “looking for a job” may be risky for stealth candidates.

3. Tweet your own articles or comments: Even if you don’t blog, if you comment, sending a Twitter link to your blog posts or comments shares the discussion with others, including industry recruiters.

4. Build a list: Build an industry list (see http://recareered.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-can-twitter-lists-help-job-seekers.html). If you are a Customer Service Manager, build a list of other customer service people, companies and recruiters. Tweet that you’ve built an industry list, and offer to share with others.

5. Use Hashtags: Hashtags allow others to easily find your Tweets. Use hashtags with industry terms if you are stealth or job search terms (see below) if an active candidate. Hashtags can also serve as keywords for Google searches.

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The New Job Is in the Details - Five danger zones where small slip-ups could damage your chances

Here's an important New Year's resolution for job hunters: Sweat the small stuff.

Minor missteps can derail your search. With U.S. joblessness still rampant, numerous hiring managers are knocking applicants out of the running over the slightest mistake.

That's what sporting-goods sales executive Daniel Obergfell did while seeking a marketing manager last winter. He rejected one contender for mispronouncing his surname four times—after correcting her thrice. (His last name actually is pronounced "Oberfell," with a silent "g.") She was among 40 people he interviewed for the $80,000 post, which attracted more than 400 prospects from one online listing.

"Your nerves cause you to do things you would not normally do when you must vie against many people for a job," Mr. Obergfell says. Despite such sentiments, he explains, he "couldn't get past" his disappointment over the woman's failure to pronounce his name right. "Given she never really got it right—even after being corrected, told me it was probably started with nervousness, but the issue more than likely ran deeper than that," he says.

Small interview errors are becoming more common. "Compared with two years ago, about 20% more candidates interviewed by our clients are not getting offers because of gaffes made due to their high anxiety," says Dave Campeas, president and chief executive officer of PrincetonOne, an executive-search firm in Skillman, N.J.

The incidence of nervous job candidates has doubled since 2006, causing some to commit careless mistakes that "ruin their chances because they didn't present themselves well," says David Mezzapelle, director of marketing and development for Goliath Jobs Inc. in Stamford, Conn.

He bases his estimate on several thousand calls from job seekers, who use a free phone service provided by his firm's two employment Web sites. The 39-person concern grew from 28 staffers a year ago.

The best solution? Prepare better for interviews. Added legwork should include extensive role playing, thorough homework about a possible employer's culture and an empathetic sense of how your skills match its needs. "Turn your dial up on sensitivity," suggests Gerard Roche, senior chairman of recruiters Heidrick & Struggles International Inc. "The little stuff counts."

Here are five danger zones where small slip-ups could damage your chances:

The Best and Worst Jobs of 2009

By SARAH E. NEEDLEMAN

At least twice a month throughout the recession, headhunters have dangled job opportunities in front of Ryan McAllister, an actuary for Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. in Novato, Calif. "If I were ever unhappy with my employer, I could pick up the phone and find something else very quickly," says the 28-year-old Mr. McAllister. He joined the high-net-worth property and casualty insurer after graduating in 2005 from the University of California at Davis, with a bachelor's degree in applied mathematics.

Being in high demand is just one reason actuary landed at the top spot on a newly released study ranking of the 200 best and worst jobs in the U.S. in 2009. The findings were based on five criteria: environment, income, employment outlook, physical demands and stress. Les Krantz, author of "Jobs Rated Almanac," compiled the rankings using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau, as well as studies from trade associations and his own expertise.

Actuaries, who evaluate the financial impact of risk on an organization, fared best because they work during standard business hours and in favorable conditions—indoors and in places free of toxic fumes or loud noise—as opposed to those jobs toward the bottom of the list such as iron worker, dairy farmer and the biggest loser from last year's study, lumberjack. They also aren't expected to do any heavy lifting, crawling or crouching—attributes associated with occupations like bricklayer, auto mechanic and roofer, also near the bottom of the list. (The physical demands of a job were measured using formulas devised by the Department of Labor, with higher scores given to jobs involving great exertion.)

The study, commissioned by job site CareerCast.com, also looks at pay, which was determined by measuring each job's median income and growth potential. (CareerCast.com is published by Adicio Inc., in which Wall Street Journal owner News Corp. holds a minority stake.) Mr. McAllister says he earns a total annual compensation within the average range for actuaries in his niche with four years of experience—between $91,000 and $133,000, according to global recruitment firm DW Simpson, based in Chicago. "If you enjoy and understand numbers, but also want to be involved in a fast-paced business environment, it's a perfect opportunity to merge those two interests," he says.

Qualifying for actuary jobs generally requires first passing a series of exams, in addition to obtaining a minimum of a bachelor's degree in an analytical field, such as statistics or economics. "For the first five to 10 years you're locked in a room studying. It's a big commitment," says Mr. McAllister.

Other jobs at the top of the study's list include software engineer, computer-systems analyst, biologist, historian and last year's winner, mathematician, which fell to No. 6 due to the recession's impact on the number of employment opportunities available. (See methodology).


Meanwhile, musical-instrument repairer, No. 66 overall, was identified as the least-stressful job, followed by medical-records technician. But Sean McGarry, who fixes broken guitars and other stringed instruments at Third Coast Guitar Service Inc. in Chicago, says his job is often nerve-racking. "Some instruments we work on are worth between $50,000 and $100,000," Mr. McGarry says. And he says he earns just $30,000 annually.

Replacing strings, fingerboards and bindings using precision tools also can cause minor injuries. "Every one of us who works here has one or two bouts of tendonitis a year," says Mr. McGarry, 36.

Of course, that isn't much compared with the kind of pains common to firefighting, the most stressful and physically demanding job identified in the study, and No. 188 overall. Even so, Matt Brett quit a recruiter position (No. 55) at Yahoo Inc. in 2007 to take up the profession for about half his previous income. "It's more in line with my values," he says. "Obviously you can get killed any day you go to work. But the culture is very unique and a lot of people get into it because they want to do something helpful."

Mr. Brett, 37, often works 48-hour shifts for the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department in Pleasanton, Calif. He says firefighters continuously engage in training to avoid getting hurt, and with time, the job becomes easier. "You get more comfortable with each type of thing thrown at you, so stress goes down over time," he says.

The job that ranked lowest overall in 2009? Roustabout. Also known as roughnecks, roustabouts typically work outdoors maintaining oil-field equipment used to produce natural gas, which is highly flammable. "We take safety precautions that outweigh the hazards," says Johnny Wall, a 26-year-old roustabout for Chesapeake Energy Corp., based in Oklahoma City, Okla. Recently he replaced a broken valve in 14-degree weather. "You're out there freezing," says Mr. Wall, who works weekdays from 7 a.m. until around 4:30 p.m.

Still, he says he likes knowing that his efforts help to provide a basic necessity—energy. "People are relying on us," he says.

Write to Sarah E. Needleman at sarah.needleman@wsj.com

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Bridging the qualifications gap

Computerworld - With their litany of requirements, job postings, especially ones for higher-level positions, can seem like an impenetrable barrier between you and the perfect opportunity. That's because few employers are willing to compromise when it comes to what they look for in new hires. They'd rather wait for a candidate who fits the opening exactly than risk a costly mistake. So, what can you do when you know you're capable of performing a job well, but your skills and experience don't completely align with its requirements?

The good news is that the candidates who look perfect on paper aren't always the ones who get offers. By considering yourself from the hiring manager's perspective, you can begin presenting yourself as an investment rather than a gamble. Here are tips to convince an employer that, despite initial appearances that may suggest otherwise, you truly are the best person for the job.

Reconsider the fit. First, make sure you're not wasting your time and the hiring manager's by applying for a job that you have no hope of getting. Do you come close to matching all of the criteria? If the ad indicates that 10 years of experience are required, and you have only three, don't submit your résumé. However, if you have nine years of experience, the firm may be willing to consider your application. Although a small gap between your qualifications and the job requirements may not be a cause for concern, a hiring manager is unlikely to consider you a viable option if the difference is significant. Also keep in mind that some employers will stand firm no matter what and interview only those individuals who meet their criteria exactly.

Find an ally. A referral or introduction from a professional in your network is indispensable if you're a job candidate who almost fits an opening, because your contact can speak to the hiring manager on your behalf and articulate strengths that may not be apparent from your résumé alone. Mine your network to try to locate a contact who can give you entree into the company. Web sites like LinkedIn and Facebook can be especially effective at uncovering valuable links. But be careful about approaching someone you don't know well. You need to establish trust and credibility with a person before asking him or her to go to bat for you.

Address concerns upfront. Don't try to hide an apparent shortcoming in your application or during an in-person interview. Instead, acknowledge the concern and then reframe it. For example, if you haven't held the exact title under discussion, have you successfully performed many of its duties in other roles? Or if you're obviously overqualified, you might note that you are looking to improve your work/life balance by seeking a slightly less demanding position than those you've held in the past.

Reduce risk. Under current conditions, employers may feel like they are going out on a limb by hiring a candidate who doesn't match their criteria to a T. Consider shortening that limb by finding ways to reduce the hiring manager's risk. For example, would you be willing to start on a project or contract basis to prove your abilities?

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Ideas for finding a new career in the new year

By PATRICIA MONTEMURRI FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Flip on your passion detector: It's not as difficult as people think to find their passion, says business coach Michele Wilke. "I ask people what are they working on at 3 a.m. in the morning," says Wilke. That's a clue. "Ask your friends, too," she says. "Your best friend will know. Your best friend will say, 'Oh, you want to be a chef.' "

Challenge yourself: Ask yourself if the skills you have are relevant in a changing market. If there's a gap, consider retraining and going back to school, says Mark S. Lee of www.leegroupinnovation.com and executive vice-president in the Detroit-area office of DHR International, an executive search firm.

Be prepared for a lower salary: Wilke says employers have the upper hand in negotiating wages right now because there's a glut of applicants. Perhaps you think $18 an hour is your bottom line, but if a good job comes in at $16 an hour, think about taking it if there's room for advancement.

Network: Throughout our careers, we meet lots of people, whether coworkers, vendors, suppliers or friends, says Lee, and now is the time to touch base with them. Schedule lunches, have weekly conversations, meet in social gatherings or simply pick up the phone to say hello.

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