| As you might expect, I was thinking this morning about | | | | struggling through and how can you position yourself |
| all the people being released from their jobs these | | | | as the solution? |
| days. This economy is driving every company to | | | | 2. How do you price yourself right from the beginning? |
| reconsider the minimum staffing required to succeed | | | | Should you tell companies what you make today? I |
| and it may have already affected you. | | | | recommend honesty because (1) an untruth will be |
| So, what's the impact on the market for jobs? | | | | found out pre or post offer and (2) you may look "too |
| Of course it is a study of economics (supply and | | | | expensive to interview" if you try for too much of an |
| demand). Right now (and it's likely to get worse) there | | | | increase from job A to job B. On the flip side, don't |
| are more people who want to work than there are | | | | give in. While you may eventually decide that you can |
| good jobs available. This is a cyclical thing. Remember | | | | take a pay cut to get back to work, it is not the place |
| all the fun incentives being offered to job candidates | | | | start. Prove your strength first and let your skill, |
| back in the late 90's? | | | | experience and communication skills show off your |
| So, as you may have figured out, I am big on analogies. | | | | value. |
| They help me identify new ways to think about and | | | | 3. Every part of your personal brand needs to be |
| approach the job search challenge. Today's analogy is | | | | polished and professionally prepared. Your cover letter |
| the real estate market. Like in the job market, today's | | | | (if necessary) and resume need to deliver your |
| real estate market includes a lot more sellers than | | | | credentials in a way that make you appear as a |
| buyers. As a result, sellers of real estate are providing | | | | desired guest - not an intruder. Model homes are clean, |
| incentives and offering homes at better prices than | | | | new and include modern upgrades - it's easy to see |
| they originally budgeted. Those who listed their homes | | | | yourself moving into one, right? How do YOU fit that |
| based on historical prices were not getting offers. The | | | | description? How have you been upgraded and |
| only homes moving were those that were | | | | readied for show? |
| aggressively priced. Painful, but less painful than | | | | 4. What is the "agent" in the job search world? |
| foreclosure or being forced into dual ownership during | | | | Recruiters? Probably not in most cases. A career |
| a relocation. | | | | coach is likely a better example. A career coach can |
| So, if this job market is company friendly and the real | | | | help you understand the market and, more importantly, |
| estate market is buyer friendly, what strategies and | | | | can help you understand yourself. This can include |
| tactics are being successfully used to sell homes | | | | preparing your personal brand (you) for interviews and |
| today? Yes, some are selling. | | | | perhaps providing some powerful introductions in your |
| I looked around on the internet for 5 solid tips to sell | | | | industry. If you have never worked with one, do me a |
| your home in this economy. Here's a good list from a | | | | favor. Call one and ask for 30 minutes to understand |
| site called "miamism": | | | | how they can help you. If you do, buy the coffee or |
| 1. Understand exactly what a down market really IS. | | | | lunch and say thank you. |
| 2. Price it right from the very beginning. | | | | 5. Exposure. How do people know you are available? |
| 3. Make sure your home shows like a model. | | | | As soon as possible, make sure everyone you know |
| 4. Find a listing agent who tells you the truth about the | | | | is aware of your availability to begin a new role. |
| current market. | | | | Network with everyone - not just with recruiters and |
| 5. Make sure your home is getting comprehensive | | | | the spiders at Monster or Career Builder. Make sure |
| exposure on the internet. | | | | your well-crafted profile is up on Linkedin and the other |
| Now let's see how these tips can be re-worked for | | | | networking sites so people can find you. Google |
| job search: | | | | yourself regularly to gauge the quality of your |
| 1. So what is the job market really like where you are | | | | exposure. |
| and specifically what industries are struggling? When | | | | Now, not every analogy delivers a spine tingling new |
| you are able to get a phone or in-person interview | | | | perspective, but maybe this one will at least give you a |
| what can you learn about what the hiring manager is | | | | new way to think about your job search effort. |