Simply Hired Blog

Using a Stand Out Strategy in Your Job Search

A long job search is loaded with emotion, but it can be analyzed with basic math. In today’s market an attractive job has a horde of job seekers, and you are one of the horde. It’s likely that you are one of a hundred equally qualified applicants. Mathematically speaking, those are poor odds.

But the reality is far worse because the basis of most hirers' pre-screen is visible qualifications: the traditional combination of education, skill and experience. How can the odds be even worse than 100 to 1? Because 20% of the people in the application line have qualifications that are visibly superior to the rest of the long line. So the mere mortals are cut (usually as swiftly as possible) before the real game even begins.

The qualifications-based search is difficult for another rarely discussed reason. If you apply next week for a similarly attractive position, nothing has likely changed in terms of the strength of your education, skill, and experience. And given a universe of 99 competitors, the top 20 will be pretty much like last week's top 20. This is clearly not good if your position is somewhere from #21 south.

Some advisors suggest applying for every job that sounds remotely attractive, often involving "jumping industries." Our math analysis questions this idea. If you're south of 21st in your own industry, odds will only be worse in another industry for which your experience even more inferior than those highly qualified applicants in the Top 20.

Okay, let's wrap up the gloomy math with some constructive advice. If you objectively know that your visible qualifications are not Top 20 for a given search, you have three choices.

  - Pray fervently that no one notices (more bad odds).

  - Skip the aggravation and don't apply.

  - Find a way to end run the traditional screening process and stay in the game.

There are a variety of end run possibilities, but their common objective is to demonstrate that out of all the candidates, you will be the best for the job, even though you likely aren't the best-looking candidate on paper.

Edge Strategies Have Better Odds

Edge strategies vary in boldness. A good goal is to be bold enough to give yourself a chance to stand out.  Of course, at least one of your negative relatives will deliver warnings such as, "Don't do that. What if the hirer doesn't want a customized direct-mail campaign (or whatever your Edge strategy is going to be)?"

Okay, finally, some good news about the math. You only need one job! You're not a brand of candy bar that must taste good to 99% of tasters. So you can ask your negative relative, "Which is better? To send a vanilla application and be tossed at the pre-screen stage by all 100 hirers? Or be bold and risk offending 90 screeners, but be viewed as interesting to 10?" Of course, the answer is obvious, but it is true that you need to dig into the courage barrel to take an Edgy step.

Here’s another piece of good news. Every veteran hirer has been burned by selecting a candidate that looked perfect on paper. There are all kinds of reasons that the mighty (looking) fall: arrogant, lazy, unreliable, lousy team player, zero common sense, and more. If you can communicate the qualities that hirers value, and if you can argue compellingly that you'll learn quickly enough to overcome any experience gap, you've got a shot.

Be aware that there’s some hard work involved in a winning stand-out strategy. You must know as much as possible about the hiring organization. Studying business strategy is fundamental. Now we’re talking about understanding culture: attitude toward customers, quality, teamwork, community involvement and any other intangibles that you can discover. Three things happen when you skillfully communicate the fit between your values and the hiring company’s culture: (1) You are end-running the cold screening process; (2) you are showing a high-level of interest in this job…a competitive plus vs. cookie-cutter applications; (3) you are showing work ethic, creativity and communication skill – all valued qualities.

Methods of end-run communication can range to the bizarre – jobs have reportedly been won by people walking the street with Hire-Me sandwich boards. If the bizarre doesn’t fit you (or shouldn’t, which is the case for most openings), end-run options include well-timed direct mail, phone calls, and email as both value communicator and conduit of links to online personal information. Online content can include videos, demonstrations of your work, and favorable social media content.

The key, of course, is relevant boldness that earns attention; secures a look at the qualities that wouldn’t be seen in a qualifications-only pre-screen; and communicates that you are the right person. Why not give an edge strategy a try, and improve your odds?

Bill Corbin and Shelbi George were unconventional job search pioneers in the 1990s. Their book update “The Edge Rides Again” articulates the importance of stand out search tactics, and includes today’s digital technology in the communication toolset.  Check out “The Edge”.

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7 Ways to Help A Recruiter Move Your Application Forward

7 Steps to Finding the Perfect Job

Work is a way to earn a living. Work gives us independence, freedom, and increases our sense of self-worth. Yet, how often have you heard someone say “I hate my job,” or “oh no, its Monday again!” Fortunately, we can find jobs that empower us.

The perfect job is looking for you almost as much as you're looking for it. Thanks to the paradigm shift in the recruiting industry moving online, there are now a lot more job openings to choose from. Today you can find a job doing what you're best at if you focus on finding the right opportunity.

Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Think about what are you best at? Even if your best attributes you do seem small, it doesn't matter. What matters is how you market those abilities. If you aren’t sure which industry you'd like to work in, assess your education and your skills. If you have a degree in Communication and really love design, consider working as a graphic designer or a copywriter. The key is to combine all your skills and strengths to find a job you’ll be successful in.

Network. Think of people you know who work in the industry of interest. This could be family, a friend, or even a former colleague. Use all your connections. Chances are, you already know someone who knows someone who could help you.

Prepare a standout resume. Make your resume unique and sell-able. Avoid done-to-death cliches like 'problem-solving', 'creative', 'innovative' and the like.  If you're looking to get into a creative industry, design your resume.

Read at least one relevant article a day. Learn as much as you can about your desired occupation. The web has countless resources that contain relevant information for every occupation and industry.  You can also follow industry leaders on social media sites to stay current on the latest developments in your field of interest.

Develop a portfolio. You want to show recruiters you're well-prepared for the job and a portfolio can back that up. Like they say, the cardinal rule is to show, not tell. If you're a photographer, it should include your photos. If you're a writer, it should include articles and documents you’ve written. It can include content you’ve developed on your personal time.

Focus on your business skills. This includes communication, time management, attention to detail, etc. The little details matter a lot in business, so stay sharp. Also, if you have free time while you’re job searching, learn a new skill, volunteer your time, take a class. Be proactive in trying to improve yourself.

Show some patience. Understandably you'll be a little antsy if recruiters haven't contacted you after a while. Try to stay calm. Use your free time to hone skills and try to enjoy your downtime. And most importantly, don’t worry, good faith and hard work never bring failure.

Happy job searching!

Rachel Vera actively writes at Wisestep, a referral reward professional network which offers Free CV Database.

Recent Graduates: Start with Plan “A” and Cast A Wide Net

Though reports seem to indicate that today’s marketplace for jobs is improving for job seekers, the last several years have proven intimidating, and the road ahead is still steep and long. If you are a recent graduate, you have undoubtedly received warnings about “not being too picky” when seeking opportunities.

CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS?

Be assured that congratulations are in order for your academic accomplishments as well as the future that awaits you. In college, though you had many choices to make, much of the framework for your experience was prepared for you. As you seek to secure your first professional opportunity, you may feel bombarded by warnings, recommendations, inflated ideals, pessimistic predictions, and “you should’s”. Don’t let anybody “should” all over you.

The reality is that the economy and the job market will always fluctuate. You are talented, and there are jobs that need to be filled. The information age has brought on some challenges, such as 24-7 work expectations, but it has also brought on more options than ever before. This means that you can use your creativity to focus on your first choices when it comes to launching your experiences in the world of work. With so many grim headlines about the outlook for today’s young job seeker, you may be tempted to not even consider going after your “Plan A”, the plan you really want to pursue. Instead, you may be influenced to assume that no one is getting their first choices these days, so you should not waste your time. (There’s that “should” again.)

It is very important to keep your eyes open when exploring the world of work, and it will serve you well to have Plan B in mind as you knock on doors in different industries and companies. Many workers today have portfolio careers pursuing multiple avenues at once. You may need to build upon your efforts so you do not burn out, though you do not need to abandon what tugs at your heart simply because you’ve been told “it’s a jungle out there.”

So, how can you keep your focus on Plan A while casting a net that might include Plan B? Consider the following suggestions:

Network as a lifestyle choice. Networking is not just for when you are in a desperate job hunt. It is a way of seamlessly making connections and building relationships from a multitude of sources for mutual benefit. You never know when and how these contacts will assist you or when you will assist them.

Look for ways to be entrepreneurial in spirit. Many people attempt to start businesses on the side of their full-time jobs today. If a side hustle is not your thing, note that you can assert yourself within a company from the standpoint of different positions and seek mentors or special projects that help you cross-train and broaden your experience and influence.

Career paths don’t have to be linear. Gone are the days of the 40-year job and the gold retirement watch, for the most part. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the average person will have 11 different jobs in his/her lifetime and keep each for 4.5 years. This means that you do not need to feel like you sign away your life whenever you accept a position. Think “opportunities” rather than “jobs”. Think of a web rather than a ladder. You will build on each experience and create a larger career picture.

Use passion as your fuel. “What if I don’t have a singular passion?” What about it? Passion can ebb and flow and change entirely throughout your life. Don’t let the search for your passion hold you back. Let the desire for passion fuel your energy for life and work. You can move forward and gain experience while exploring a greater understanding of yourself and what motivates you.

Believe in your wildest ideas and in the power of experimentation. Take small risks towards experimenting with “out there” ideas within the framework of your work and life. Follow up on a connection you made at the grocery store. Research people and resources regarding a possible invention. Talk with people in positions you admire to learn about the gaps in an industry and opportunities for improvement. You can explore a hunch without making a commitment, and you can organize your life to support your priorities, your Plan A, even if Plan A remains in progress.

Congratulations, class of 2013! We need your innovation, so bring it on!

Christy Robb is a career development and lifestyle coach and writer who aims to empower people with tools, resources, and a mindset that supports them in realizing their ability to recalculate old assumptions about work and life in order to achieve mental and emotional freedom – and take action on their true desires. Having operated on “both sides of the table” as a coach and a recruiter, her work brings a unique perspective to her clients and readers on strategies for success in today’s world of work. Read her blog, Meaningful Meandering , find her on Twitter (@Christy_Robb) and Facebook (Christy Robb Career & Lifestyle).

4 Ways to Minimize Workplace Distractions

Once you get settled into a new job and feel less of a need to prove your value, it’s common behavior to welcome more distractions. But losing focus at work can compromise your ability to get your job done efficiently. If you suffering from a short attention span when it comes to your daily responsibilities, here are a few tips to help you stay on track.

Turn Off Message Updates

Receiving constant alerts for when new emails or instant messages come in can be a huge distraction in any office setting. While it’s important to respond to important matters, most issues can wait until after you’ve finished the project you’re currently working on. By  turning off updates and only checking them when you’ve set aside specific time to do so, you’ll allow your mind to focus on completing one task at a time.

Put in Your Headphones

With co-workers conversing, phones ringing, and printers printing, it can be easy to become more invested in what others are doing or talking about than what you’re supposed to be accomplishing. If your office allows you to bring your own headphones and music in, consider setting up a playlist that allows you to zone in and block out the noise. If you find it hard to concentrate with music in your ear, try putting on some soft, instrumental tunes without lyrics. You’ll be surprised how much easier it is to focus when you don’t have the external background noise begging for your attention. Also, having your headphones in can also be used as a symbol to let your co-workers know that it’s not the best time to chitchat.

Stick to a Routine

The best way to stay on task is to commit to a routine. Knowing what you’re going to be doing and when you’re going to do it will help you successfully scratch off all the items on your to-do list. Allow some buffer time for unplanned meetings or important conversations, but for the most part, be strict about following your schedule. This will help keep you organized, and it will also help you become more aware of when your attention starts to drift towards items that are less of a priority.

In order to keep your sanity in check, it’s important to schedule breaks in your routine as well. Staying too focused for too long can burn you out, so it helps to include time in your day to take a breather, joke with a co-worker, or watch a humorous video online. By making room in your daily schedule for a few pauses between your responsibilities, you’ll be less likely to get sidetracked in the middle of an important task.

Pick Your Meetings Wisely

If your office generally has optional meetings, try your best to only attend the ones that will benefit your work. It can be tempting to use the meeting as a break from your typical responsibilities, but don’t let that be the sole reason you decide to sit in. When you have a lengthy intermission from your workflow, it can be hard to bounce back and pick up where you left off, so if you’re really making progress on a project, limit the amount of interruptions you make room for.

Distractions in the workplace can be a huge threat to your productivity, so it’s important to do all you can to keep them to a minimum. The good news is that there are a lot of things you can do from your end to keep your efficiency running strong, and by turning off your alerts, zoning into your work, sticking to a routine, and only attending important meetings, you’ll be ready to stay focused and deliver an impressive and satisfactory work performance.  

Arlene Chandler is a freelance writer who spends her spare time sipping coffee, experimenting with new recipes, and hanging out with her two dogs. She currently writes finance, career, and insurance advice for AAMI Income Protection.

Career Advice From the World’s Most Popular Superheroes

Superheroes are great examples for mankind. They teach us courage, selflessness, morality, and how to use unique powers in creative ways. We can also look to superheroes for career advice. After all, most of them have day jobs and live with two identities that are usually related.

With that in mind, here is some career advice from popular superheroes that just might inspire you to active your own super powers at work.

Superman: Paid and unpaid work can be equally meaningful

Most discussions of superheroes begin with the big man in red and blue, Superman. The orphan of the destroyed planet Krypton is also Clark Kent, the only adopted son of Jonathan and Martha Kent of Smallville, Kansas.

Superman's job is to protect Earth from cosmic villains though his powers of flight, super speed, super strength, super intelligence, and x-ray vision. His alter-ego has a different job entirely. Clark Kent is a reporter with the Daily Planet who fights injustice through expose and editorial, not x-ray vision. Still, Clark has made a name for himself by sticking up for those who might otherwise be silenced. So, in both in lives, as Superman and Clark Kent, the last son of Krypton has made it his life's work to make a difference by helping the community.

But Superman’s ability to do his job is dependent on Clark Kent’s work as a reporter. Without his efforts at the Daily Planet, Superman could not afford the cost of living. Superman may have world-wide fame, but he doesn’t get paid to save the day. He pays the bills writing copy for the Daily Planet as Clark Kent. Without that steady paycheck Superman would be stuck at the Fortress of Solitude, starving.

So we see that Superman doesn't let the grueling hours of his day job keep him from his passions, or from doing meaningful work. When the time is right, he tears off his business suit and saves the world from impending peril. We should all take note of this: our careers can become an excuse to do forget the things that are most important to us. But with Superman as our guide, it doesn't have to be one or the other. We can pursue meaningful careers and still be dedicated to our passions. In fact, Superman demonstrates, that with a little creativity, we can find a career path in line with our priorities and life goals.

Batman: Find work you’re passionate about and it ceases being work

Batman’s alter ego, Bruce Wayne, sits atop a number multinational corporations and is quite the philanthropist. But aside from his putting in the occasional appearance at Wayne Enterprises and a unveiling the latest wing of Gotham General, Bruce Wayne really doesn't do much hands-on work in his corporations. As far as we can tell, Bruce Wayne's real work comes out of his basement getaway, the Batcave.

From there he wages a never ending battle against the enemies of his great city, Gotham. Tirelessly, Batman spends the nights patrolling the rooftops seeking out those who would do harm to the good people of Gotham City. Over the years he has developed a close relationship with the Gotham police department, serving as a kind of consultant, helping Police Commissioner Jim Gordon solve the toughest cases the city is faced with.

So Bruce Wayne/Batman has a significant lesson to teach us about our careers. Where some might see a third shift police beat through some of Gotham City's roughest streets and an always on-call investigative consultant position, Batman sees a tremendous opportunity. Toward this opportunity Batman dedicates himself wholeheartedly, never thinking of the tremendous sacrifice to his mind, body, and bank account this work requires. And remember, he does all this work without collecting a dime.

But that's not to say Bruce Wayne isn’t interested in money. No one, especially a billionaire entrepreneur, is in the business of turning down money. For Bruce Wayne/Batman, this is his passion, it isn’t work. Bruce doesn’t think of his time as Batman in the same terms as he does his time in the boardroom.

There is a great career lesson built into Batman’s arrangement. When you are passionate about your work, it ceases to be work. It becomes an opportunity for you to do what you love and wholly dedicate yourself to carrying it out to the best of your ability.

Spider-man: Stay dedicated to your goals and you will find success

Spider-man, or Peter Parker, has an interesting existence, specially for a superhero. After being bitten by a radioactive spider, he gained the powers of incredible agility, speed, super-jumping, super-strength, and a precognition ability he calls "spider sense.” But Spider-man has a rough time making ends meet when he's not in his red and blue Spider-suit. Although he loves his time as Spider-man and feels a tremendous responsibility to use his great powers to help people, Peter Parker's professional life doesn’t have the same series of successes as the web slinger.

Peter Parker works as a photographer for the Daily Bugle, a Manhattan newspaper. A dedicated photographer, Parker often doesn't get the recognition he deserves for his hard work. He doesn’t get paid much either. But, as a photographer, he has made something of a name for himself, and despite the difficulties of juggling relationships and a superhero alternate identity, Parker stays dedicated to photography and continues to make new opportunities for himself.

Every time J. Jonah Jameson, head of the Daily Bugle, told Peter Parker he can't, Parker always answered "I can" with great resolve. In Parker's career, like all of ours, if we stay dedicated to our goals and preserve through adversity, we will find success. After all, Peter Parker eventually won a Pulitzer Prize for his photographic work with the Daily Bugle.

The Flash: Use all your skills and talents to do the best job possible

Barry Allen, or The Flash has probably the least well-known backstory of any of the characters discussed here. Barry Allen (The Flash) is a forensic scientist who was struck by lightning after being doused in police laboratory chemicals. This unfortunate accident gave Allen the power of super speed and he transformed himself into The Flash. He uses his power of tremendous speed to fight crime in his hometown, Central City.

Unlike any of other superheroes discussed here, Barry Allen, before he became the Flash, was already fighting crime in his career as a forensic scientist. The Flash only gives him the ability to better execute his job.

When he gained super powers he didn't turn his back on his career. He didn’t try to start a career as a professional runner and try out for the Olympics. He found a way to use his new gift to benefit his existing career. This is what the most successful people do. They apply new skills to their career, and are constantly looking for better ways to perform their work.

Iron Man: Stay confident in yourself and you can do anything in your career

Tony Stark is extremely popular today. With three movies since 2008, plus cartoons, toys, and video games, you can’t get away from Iron Man. And if there was a superhero who would be fine with this kind of superstardom, it’s Tony Stark, the man in the iron mask. While he is something of an egomaniac, he still has a lot to teach us about our careers.

Tony Stark is the perfect example to illustrate that confidence leads to success. Sure, it helps to be the heir to billions and a genius, but Tony effectively demonstrates how if you have complete confidence in your own abilities, you can accomplish anything.  

When he was stuck in a cave and forced at gunpoint by terrorists to build a bomb, instead he solved the world’s energy crisis, stopped the terrorists, and crafted himself a superhero suit in the process. In our careers we must think like Tony Stark. Anything is possible if we set ourselves up for success and believe that we can do it.