To Temp or Not To Temp

Q: After being laid off, I am actively seeking a new full time, permanent position. Since that’s my goal, I've been telling most recruiters I’m not interested in temp work, or temp to perm at this point. When do you think I should go down that avenue of employment? I'm hesitant to accept a short term position, because I am still interviewing for permanent jobs, averaging about one interview per week…

A: No time like the present! Give that recruiter a call today and be honest with them. As long as they know you will be accepting interviews for permanent positions, with consideration to your temporary employer, it can be a win-win for all.

In this unique market being open to temp and temp-to-perm employment opportunities adds to your professional network and opens your search to a new demographic of employers, and the more companies that can consider you for their staff, the better. This is especially a good idea for professionals who have spent many years working within one industry or niche and are finding they are, “always the bridesmaid, never the bride.” Employers today are often extremely specific about the desired skills and the practical application of those skills, in other words if they are in the confectionery business, they may hesitate hiring someone from non-profit for example. A chance to evaluate the fit, without any obligation is a great option for both the employer and temporary employee.

That "No Thanks" Letter is Gold!

"After searching online for days, I finally came across a position that must have been written just for me! The industry was a niche I worked in for the past ten years, the qualifications were on point with my experience and the responsibilities were almost identical to my last full time position. I took the time to customize my cover letter and eagerly sent it in…waiting for that call to meet, but no call came.
I was bummed and stumped, but tried to leave it behind until one afternoon a few weeks later. In my stack of mail was a letter, a very thin letter from that company. I opened it up only to read my “No Thanks” letter and proceeded to get frustrated…..."

This note came to me from a former colleague of mine and I had to write about it because we’ve almost all had this experience by now and have felt just like him.

In 2009, searching for a job isn’t easy, but perhaps what’s harder is keeping positive day in and day out. It takes a dedicated effort, some ingenuity and determination to get through the weeks of unemployment and all that comes along with it. To succeed, you have to champion your accomplishments along the way, no matter how small they may seem at the time. Had my dear colleague been able to do just that, he would have seen that letter as a new opportunity. For the first time, he processed a contact name, email and direct-phone number for the recruiter in their Human Resources’ department…and that’s gold!

Q&A: When I asked about salary on my Interview, things changed...

Q: Everything seemed to be going great as we wrapped up my interview when I was asked if I had any additional questions. I was excited and having learned so many details about the company, the job, their expectations and goals, I asked about the annual salary and benefits plan. As the words came out of my mouth, the recruiter’s expression completely change…it was as if I said their family pet died.
Needless to say, I never got a call back for a second interview.

Was I so wrong asking this one question that it negated all of my years of relevant abilities and actually disqualified me from being considered for the job?

A: Frustrating as it may be to hear yes, you may as well have erased your years of related experience and applicable skills when you asked about the compensation package during your first meeting.

Even during these more than trying economical times, first interviews are always all about the potential employer and that company’s needs to hire a qualified professional…after all, that’s why you were invited into their office, right?
Going forward remember, first interviews mean NO “me-questions.” If you are successful at sharing your strengths and accomplishments as they relate to the job description, you will likely be asked back for a second interview where you may ask general “me-questions” towards the end of your meeting.


Don’t forget, until the company formerly extends you a written job offer, the salary, benefits and parking spots technically don’t matter!

Streamlining Your Job Board Searches

Whether you’re working full time or unemployed, searching for available positions on the job boards is still an important feature of your job search. In 2011, job boards are still a reasonably priced means of communicating employer’s open positions to the masses of job seekers that rest beyond their own database. But how do you know which boards to use?

Every day more job boards are started and employers enter into new contracts with them to test the waters and expand their candidate pool. How on earth can you possibly keep an updated list of which boards are appropriate for your niche and desired role? While we’re sure there are ways, there’s simply no need.

Just like Google, there are job board search engines that are created for the simple purpose of identifying any relevant position to your search, regardless of what board it may appear on. They work just like any board’s search terms would. You choose your location, travel distance and enter the keywords that have been successful in resourcing applicable positions for you. The aggregate will pull-up the positions that are most closely matching your requests, bringing every known and unknown posting site to your desktop in a nice, easy list!

Once you have confirmed these are the right searches for you, you may take this one step further by automating your search. You may schedule daily delivery of any newly posted positions right to your very own Inbox. Think about the amount of time you’ll save, avoiding jumping from site to site, keeping track of which keywords you entered last…instead, step 1 - open your email, step 2 - read the brief listing and by step 3 - you’re already considering the actual position and company. Work smart and hard, not just hard!

To learn more about these search aggravates, email Jennifer@CaterpillarCareerConsultants.com

Staying Fresh in a Stale Job Market…

Yes, while it’s often true that you could probably make more money collecting unemployment. And is flipping burgers or stocking shelves really going to add to your resume? Probably not. So what do you do to keep your skills sharp and still stay active?

Many communities have numerous ways for professional adults to continue their education. Take a look at some of the Adult Education course given at your local high school. I don’t know QuickBooks, and many of us are little rusty on Office 2007, so why not take that evening class at the high school? I’m sure you’ll learn a lot and think of what a great addition to your resume something like QuickBooks would be. Adult Education courses are usually free or have a nominal fee to cover basic costs. And of course, it’s another opportunity to network. But act quickly; these courses usually fill up quickly.

If you are not finding the level of coursework you need at your local high school or community group, check out your local college or universities. Perhaps you can take courses that advance and enhance your current career. It will show perspective employers that you do have a passion for your field and that you are willing to stay current on topics related to your profession. Many college and universities offer courses specifically designed to accommodate working, or unfortunately not working, professionals. Something else to explore is additional certifications. Many industries require additional certifications and training. So get that PHR, C++, PMP or Medical Coder certification while you have the time. It’s much better than sitting at home and will eventually get you more salary when you do get back to the workplace.

Finally, look at some volunteer opportunities. Participate in a community event, walk dogs at an animal shelter or give some time to a charity or non-profit that has positively affected you in some way. Find something that has touched your life or something that you’ll really enjoy, and get involved. If your area of expertise is marketing, than show that local non-profit how to effectively market their events and see how good you feel when they raise a record amount of money. There are so many organizations that need your professional expertise; and it may lead to your next interview. Many professionals give back to their communities and would like to be considered an example to others. So it’s a great chance to meet people in a social setting and network. And with your involvement clearly visible on your resume, it could be that the company you interview with is also affiliated with that organization. And you never know who you’ll meet at that next walk-a-ton, so start hitting the treadmill now.

Of course, always have your resume, references and sales pitch ready. If you are active, involved and have access to influential people, then there’s no excuse not to offer your skills, especially when the benefits could be more than a warm feeling, but could lead to your next job.

If you are searching for a job and not working, you MUST have business cards! In this wireless world, handing someone your resume & cover letter in most settings just doesn't work. However a business card noting your contact info and a blurb as to your talents & niche is perfect, handy and very professional.

How Important Are Keywords In Your Resume?

Consider your current resume for a moment. It’s your very first opportunity to make a positive impression on a prospective employer. You’ve worked diligently on communicating your successes and adding up all your accomplishments, and there’s no doubt in your mind that the message is clear and your phone will shortly ring with interest.

But before anyone can dial your number, they have to find it first!

It’s critical that recruiters can easily locate your resume and today that means working with technology to effectively communicate your story. Whether posting your resume to web sites like Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com, or applying to a company of interest, you must speak in a language that highlights keywords as a means of conveying your experience behind the scenes.

Keywords are how Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) identify you as a possible “match” to the desired skills and experience an employer is seeking. When a recruiter starts a search and enters selected words that compliment their targeted candidate, each and every word they choose will greatly effect what groups of candidates appear in their search results, much like a traditional search engine. In other words, if you don’t have the words on your resume they have chosen to search, they will never know of your well-crafted resume and your phone will not ring.

So how can you be sure your information is being seen by the right recruiters or hiring managers? One, do your homework. With many resources to choose from, dig in and learn which keywords are most commonly desired for your niche. Two, choose your keywords carefully. Just because a common term is used within a particular industry, doesn’t mean it’s definitely a fit for you professionally. Three, use keywords, acronyms and punctuation carefully. Remember with Boolean search rules, how your write your keywords is also important, like slashes for example. If you listed marketing/advertising, a recruiter searching marketing or advertising would not find you had you written the above. Lastly, use your keywords, don’t just list them. Once the software finds you and lists you as a candidate, the human recruiter will then be reading your resume.

Proper use of keywords will also demonstrate your depth and knowledge of any given industry or profession. When used incorrectly, your resume will make you seem amateurish, unqualified and will not be a good representation of your experiences. When used correctly and in the right context, keywords will accentuate your credentials and reinforce to potential employers that you are the ideal candidate for the job.

When crafting a successful resume, be sure to use different combinations of keywords and variations of job responsibilities. For example, if you were a Customer Service Manager, use terms such as “client services,” “customer support,” technical assistance” and so on. They all mean the same thing basically, but it expands on the frequency and variations of keywords so your resume will show up in searches more often.

Qualifying and detailing your unique experience using appropriate keywords will not only hit the mark, but allow your individual skills and talents to stand out from the masses and entice the recruiter to finally pick up that phone.

Q & A: What's wrong with my resume?!

Q: I've posted my resume on all the major job boards, I've sent it to dozens of job openings, and am not getting any calls. I've never experienced this before and feel lost! What's wrong with my resume?!

A: Every resume is different, but here are the top 5 questions to ask yourself if your current resume isn't getting the attention it deserves.

1- Is your resume updated and current?

No one wants to read an inaccurate or outdated resume. If you're not working, no where on your resume should read "to Present." And if you are working, is it up to date with today's information?

2- Is your resume consistent?

Review your formatting! Do your margins match? Are your dates aligned and written in the same way? Is your email address hyperlinked and contact information correct? Do you have periods at the end of EVERY bullet? These examples are just as critical as spelling mistakes and typos.

3- Has it been proofread by someone other than you?

Every editor needs an editor! The more you work with your resume, the more likely you are to miss a typo or an incorrect verb tense. Always have someone you trust review your resume before you send it or post it online.

4- How long is your resume?

How much time do you think prospective employers actually spend reading a resume? The rule of thumb these days with resumes is a two page maximum (with few exceptions). If you have less than 10 years of professional experience, one page is more than enough. Remember, a resume highlights your talents and should strongly introduce Your Message, allowing you to elaborate on the details during the interview.

5- NO TEMPLATES!!

This is your only chance to effectively communicate Your Message, so make a lasting impression on the hiring manager. Don't allow your resume blend into the masses with a generic MS Resume Wizard template. Be unique, just like you!

A resume is your introduction, describing who you are as a professional and makes the very first impression on hiring managers. The best resumes are updated, easy to read and should communicate a clear message. When done well, this leaves the prospective employer wanting to know more about you and your experience.

Take a moment to send us a copy of your resume for a complimentary Resume Review and see how your resume stands-up in today's market through the eyes of a trained HR professional.