Tips for Job Seekers

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#000033" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Georgia" ><B>Ansley Consulting Group</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><B>    |</B><B>   </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Copperplate Gothic Bold" ><B> </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ansley Consulting Group"><U><B>home</B></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <B>Tips for Job Seekers</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id289.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Passion Vision"><U><B>Passion & Vision</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id284.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Judgment Integrity"><U><B>Judgment & Integrity</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id280.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Health Care Mon$ter"><U><B>Health Care Mon$ter</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id272.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Paying for Performance?"><U><B>Paying for Performance?</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id269.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Promoting from Within"><U><B>Promoting from Within</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id266.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Get A Life 2"><U><B>Get A Life - 2</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id259.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Corp Governance"><U><B>Corp Governance</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id257.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Get A Life"><U><B>Get A Life</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id248.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="New Year?"><U><B>New Year?</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id227.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Skittish $$"><U><B>Skittish $$</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id224.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Assessment"><U><B>Assessment</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id223.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Elusive Talents"><U><B>Elusive Talents</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id213.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Misemployment"><U><B>Misemployment</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id207.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Liars Figure"><U><B>Liars Figure</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id263.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Augusta National"><U><B>Augusta National</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id196.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="September 12 Beyond"><U><B>September 12 & Beyond</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id50.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Why Retained Search?"><U><B>Why Retained Search?</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id52.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="World Class Talent"><U><B>World Class Talent</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id56.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="JMH Philosophies"><U><B>JMH Philosophies</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#999966" TEXT="#080000"> <div> From Our New York Office</div> <div> <IMG SRC="622b4870.jpg" border=0 width="180" height="135" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> New York City is the number one city in the world in executive search activity. </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="64687c80.jpg" border=0 width="135" height="200" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Grand Central Station - NYC</B></div> <div> Our offices are located just outside Grand Central at the corner of Vanderbilt and 42nd Street.</div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=398 BGCOLOR="#FFFFCC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B><U>Tips for Job Seekers</U></B></div> <div> The Ansley Advisor - September 2003<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Baskerville Old Face" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>For Our Job Seeking Friends...</U></B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Book Antiqua" > </FONT></div> <div> <B><U>Rebounding Economy But Jobs Still Hard to Find</U></B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Book Antiqua" > </FONT></div> <div> By Jim Hicks - Founder & President - The Ansley Consulting Group</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="54668990.jpg" border=0 width="104" height="153" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="5" VSPACE="12"></div> <div> Many people are saying that business is getting better, that the stock market is rebounding, and that we are finally crawling out of this recession. Sounds good but means very little to the still-record number of unemployed people out there. And the reason is that companies in general are simply not hiring at anything close to the rate that they were hiring prior to 9-11. As confidence grows, hopefully that will change in the near future. But in the meantime... </div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Maybe this special Ansley Advisor will be of some help to our Job Seeker friends who are having a difficult time finding that next position. </B></I></div> <bR> <div> If you are happy in your job and not looking to make a change anytime soon, you may want to save this Advisor for future reference or perhaps forward it to a friend who might appreciate it today.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>A Little Introductory Quiz for the Job Seekers</U></B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Your score on this quiz will give you an idea about how long it might take you to find a new position at your current level of "job seeking" activity:<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> Answer True or False for each of the ten statements: </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">I am getting at least three desired job interviews each month.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">I am having lunch or coffee with at least 20 employed people each month in order to expand my networking<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">I am confident in interviews and am asked back for second interviews at least one-third of the time.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">I am spending less than 10% of my job search time on the internet.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">I am devoting more than 50% of my job search time to networking with employed people.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">I am following up with thank-you notes, letters, and emails after the majority of my meetings/lunches/coffees.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">I am confident that my resume presents me very positively and that it clearly identifies my career objectives<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">I am mailing letters to hiring authorities, following up effectively, and getting meetings.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">I have an overall strategy, I am systematically working my plan, and I know what I need to accomplish each week.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">I have a detailed, written marketing plan that defines my target market, my unique value and my desired goals.</div> <bR> <div>     Your responses to the above ten questions will give you a pretty good idea about how well you are doing in your job search. Score one point for every TRUE answer:<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> 1-4 Indicates a very long job search of 9 to 15 months<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> 5-6 An average job search of 7 to 9 months is likely<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> 7-8 Doing well and likely to land a position in 3 to 6 months<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> 9-10 Outstanding; you should be employed in less than 3 months</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>Some Grim Statistics About the Current Job Search Process</U></B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Book Antiqua" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> On April 17, 2003, I met Richard Kirby, a Career Coach, at a business meeting in Atlanta and, in addition to the above quiz, I learned some pretty grim statistics about what is going on out there in today's job search world. Here are the stats along with my comments:</div> <div>  </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">70% of job seekers find their jobs through personal networking...<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Book Antiqua" ><I>consider this stat when planning how to spend your time</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">5% of job seekers find their jobs through the internet, newspapers, and other published sources...<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Book Antiqua" ><I>the name of the game is networking; not hanging out on the internet all day</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">There are between 2000 and 5000 responses to the average internet job posting...<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Book Antiqua" ><I>so don't take it personal if you don't get a prompt response to all of your resume submissions...and keep your internet time to a minimum</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">80% of all executive recruiters (headhunters) have gone out of business in this economic downturn...<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Book Antiqua" ><I>I'm not real sure about this stat but it should give you a pretty good idea of how much the rate of hiring has gone down</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">99% of unsolicited resumes go straight into the trash can...<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Book Antiqua" ><I>most resumes are incredibly BORING, do something to make sure yours is an attention grabber</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">30% of job seekers land jobs that did not exist before they visited the employer...<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Book Antiqua" ><I>an extremely valuable piece of information; reinforces the need to network and to get in front of people; someone who likes you just may create a new position that meshes with your background and interests</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Persons reviewing incoming resumes spend an average of 15 seconds on it before deciding what to do with it...<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Book Antiqua" ><I>so yours better be on one-page and must quickly grab their attention</I></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The average length of a job search at the $100k+ level is just over 8 months...<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Book Antiqua" ><I>but you can lower that time-frame if you rigorously manage your job search using the guidelines found in this article.</I></FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>How to Network via Phone, e-mail or Snail-Mail </U></B></div> <bR> <div> When networking, always try to get at least one more name of someone to contact each time you communicate with someone. Recently I received the best opening paragraph I have seen...and it could be adapted for various types of oral or written communications:</div> <div>  </div> <div> <I>I am undertaking a job campaign and would appreciate any advice or direction you might provide. Although you probably do not know of a suitable position for me, I am confident that by expanding my network through contacts with key executives, such as you, the right opportunity will surface. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>I am attaching my resume for your review. Please feel free to distribute my information to your contacts. If you should hear of an opportunity or think of someone else I should contact, please give me a call.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>I will phone you next Tuesday to follow-up. Thanks in advance for your assistance.</I></div> <bR> <div> Networking with people that have jobs is where 50 to 70% of your "job search" time should be spent. Statistics show that time spent with people who have jobs is a far more productive activity than looking for jobs on the internet or newspapers, spending time with other unemployed job seekers, or trying to set up meetings with headhunters.<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Book Antiqua" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> September is a wonderful month to get serious about your job search: </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Business kicks into high gear as the vacation season ends and the kids go back to school </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">It's almost like the beginning of the year...in a lot of ways more so than the first of January </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Everyone just seems to have more energy as the dog days of August are replaced with the crisp beginning of Autumn </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">You still have a solid three months of job searching before people start to slow down for the holidays</div> <bR> <div> So, as I always say just after Labor Day, HAPPY NEW YEAR; and Happy Hunting for that perfect new job or career. For more Job Searching ideas, visit the <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Book Antiqua" ><U>Job Seekers </U></FONT>section of our web site.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>***************************************************************</I></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Garamond" > </FONT>Jim Hicks specializes in <I>delivering value well beyond executive search. </I>Following a 27-year career equally split between line management and consulting, he founded The Ansley Consulting Group in June of 1999. Jim's former roles include COO of Nautica, EVP of Polo, Principal at Kurt Salmon Associates, and implementer of <I>The Deming Method</I> while working with Bill Conway of Conway Management. A former officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, he holds an Industrial Engineering degree from Auburn University<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Baskerville Old Face" ><I><B> </B></I></FONT>and an MBA from The University of Hawaii.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <U>The Ansley Consulting Group</U><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Book Antiqua" > </FONT></div> <div> --Delivering Value Well Beyond Executive Search--</div> </td> </tr></table></body>