15 Tips for the Frustrated Job-Seeker

Looking for a new job can be very frustrating. As with any new adventure that you embark upon, you must have the tools necessary to be successful in your venture. Job-hunting is no different. Here's a short list of to-do's for job seekers (not in any particular order).

1. Get registered with a recruiter.


2. Have a killer resume (that includes "key words").


3. Get LinkedIn.


4. Search your network (for resources and referrals).


5. If you don't have a network...BUILD ONE.


6. Role play the interview with someone that will give you honest feedback.


7. Get daily job alerts emailed to you (Indeed.com, Google, etc.)


8. Do not post your resume on job boards (recruiters consider that low-hanging fruit).


9. Prepare a short story to intro yourself in an interview (information that is NOT on your resume).


10. Dress for SUCCESS!


11. Check out TwitterJobSearch.com.


12. Connect with Recruiters/Hiring Managers on Twitter and Facebook.


13. Learn how to market your transferable skills.


14. Stay focused and be disciplined.


15. Take a serious look at entrepreneurship!

Tammy Turner

President/CEO

Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kapstone-recruiting

http://www.kapstonejobs.com

Speech Habits That Turn Interviewers Off

The interview is your opportunity to showcase your product (YOU). This is where you have the opportunity to "wow" the interviewer and sell yourself. The resume got you in the door but the interview is what secures the job. So, given that the interview is where you seal the deal, you must present yourself in the best possible light and distinguish yourself from the competition.

Recruiters, interviewers and hiring managers critique you in every aspect of the interview including your diction and grammar. Check out this article from Monster.com (http://bit.ly/Ry4a2). It gives "Six Sloppy Speech Habits."

What I've noticed in my years of recruiting is that oftentimes a candidate becomes comfortable in an interview and lets their guard down and becomes so relaxed that they begin to talk as if they were out at a picnic among friends. I start to hear slang "ain't, gonna, my bad" etc. This is not acceptable to an interviewer no matter how comfortable you are with him/her.

In the article link above, numbers 1 and 4 really resonate with me as I hear them oh so often. We all use "um" especially when nervous. I recommend that if you are preparing for an interview that you prepare a short story about yourself and leave it on your voicemail and then play it back and count the "ums." You'll be surprised.

Last but not least, be cognizant of pronouncing "with" as "wif" or pronouncing words such as four, store, walking, running, talking (fo, sto, walkin, runnin, talkin). In an interview you are evaluated on everything so put your best foot (or speech) forward, sell yourself and get the job!

Tammy Turner
President/CEO
Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services
http://www.kapstonejobs.com
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kapstone-recruiting

Working & Living Abroad

Having lived and worked overseas for nearly three years, I can attest to the many opportunities that are available for job seekers that are interested in living abroad. My transition to SE Asia in 2004 was phenomenal! I settled into my new home very quickly.

I highly recommend that job seekers explore opportunities overseas as an option. Depending on which country you go to and what company you work for, your salary could be tax free. If you have children there tuition could be paid for at a prestigious international school. How about your company paying for your housing...does that excite you? How about not having a car note or car insurance to worry about? Are you interested in having domestic staff (housekeeper, nanny, cook and driver)?

Well, if none of those things interest you, how about the opportunity to explore and become acclimated to another culture, another way of life uniquely different from your own? How about the chance to travel the world and experience different food and different customs? Still not interested? How about making a great salary in the process?

Now that I have your attention, here are some strategies for people looking into the possibility of job opportunities overseas (http://tinyurl.com/dembvc).

Tammy Turner
President/CEO
Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services
http://www.kapstonejobs.com
http://blogtalkradio.com/kapstone-recruiting

Tammy's Tips for Mastering the Interview

Daily I coach job-seekers on how to make themselves marketable in today's tough job market. I review hundreds of resumes a day and conduct on average 15-20 interviews per week. Here's some sound advice that I share with my candidates:

1. Do your research. Take the time to research the company that you are interviewing with. Take the time to research the companies that you would "like" to interview with and take the time to research the "person" that you are interviewing with. Why? Because it gives you an advantage when interviewing. When researching the company that you have secured an interview with, jot down a list of questions to ask in the interview based upon your research. When researching companies that you are interested in interviewing with check their job boards and see if there is a job open for which you qualify. When researching the "interviewer," wow them in the interview by mentioning some of the things that you may have found that they are interested in. Example: You're being interviewed by David Carter. While researching the company you find that Mr. Carter was recently named employee of the month, or just received a promotion or orchestrated the company's volunteer effort with Habitat for Humanity. Casually mention it in the interview.
   
2. Network, Network, Network! Networking is one of the most important things that you can do to advance your career to the next level. Whether you are an entry level job-seeker, an experienced hire or a seasoned professional, the relationships that you build or have built will be crucial in how your career progresses. In today's job market there are millions of job-seekers. If you have someone that can put your resume in the hand of a hiring manager, CEO, business owner or recruiter, it gives you the leg above the competition who has only "applied on-line."
   
3. Resume Writing. Just because it's free doesn't mean it's good. If your mom, best friend or girlfriend wrote your resume, that doesn't mean it's polished and professional. While you can appreciate their effort to assist you, having an HR professional or Resume Writing company review, critique or reconstruct it, might be a good idea. Resumes are used to weed you in or WEED YOU OUT! Your resume is your first impression. Make sure it's a good impression and accurately represents your skill set.
   
   I would also encourage you to have multiple resumes and that they are specifically targeted to the job and company for which you are applying.
   
4. Interviewing Skills. Role play, role play, role play. I encourage potential candidates to role play their interview with someone. This will help to eliminate some of the nervousness by anticipating some of the questions and being able to better articulate your responses. I also encourage candidates to "prepare a short story." Oftentimes, interviewers will ask "Tell me something about yourself." They are NOT asking you to tell them things that are listed on your resume. They can read that. This is your opportunity to sell your "soft skills."
   
5. Follow-up. The "Thank You" note is NOT out-of-style. Follow up with the interviewer with a short note (via email or handwritten) thanking them for the interview and reiterating your interest in the opportunity.

Tammy Turner

President/CEO

Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services

http://www.kapstonejobs.com

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kapstone-recruiting

Things To Do if You've Been Laid Off

If you've been the victim of the economy by way of losing your job, here are some strategies for you to utilize in your job search (http://tinyurl.com/bn75wk).

This article makes several references to the importance of reaching out to your network and/or building a network that can serve as a resource to you. Networking is a critical component for those seeking a new job opportunity. Make a list of all the people that could possibly be a resource to you in your career search. Utilize the social networking sites and get with a recruiter!

Tammy Turner
President/CEO
Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services
http://www.kapstonejobs.com/
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kapstone-recruiting

"The Art of Networking"

PRESS RELEASE

Contact Information:
Tammy Turner, President/CEO
Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services
20700 Civic Center Dr, Suite 170
Southfield, MI 48076
tturner@kapstonejobs.com
http://www.kapstonejobs.com/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 3, 2009

“The Art of Networking” – How to Maximize Your Relationships in Today’s Job Market

DETROIT, MI – April 25, 2009 - Networking is critical to finding jobs in a recession. The broader your network is, the more job opportunities that you expose yourself to. The Art of Networking aims to aid others in maximizing their relationships in their professional and personal lives. It will be held on April 25, 2009 at Northwest Activity Center (18100 Meyers, Detroit, MI), Room 100, from 4:00 – 6:00pm. The cost is $10.

5 Million Jobs Have Been Lost Since the Recession Began! “The Art of Networking” will teach people how to network their way to their next job opportunity, make the best use of business cards, how to maximize the effectiveness of social networking sites, how to have a magnetic personality, how to nurture and cultivate relationships and much more. This seminar is not only for the job seeker in today’s recession, it’s for the novice networker, the entrepreneur, the seasoned professional, the busy executive or the stay-at-home mom that has a home-based business and needs to be creative about generating revenue. There’s something for everyone.

Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services strives to assist the everyday job seeker by equipping him/her with the tools necessary to find a job opportunity in a recession where jobs are scarce. By building, nurturing and maximizing relationships, a job seeker has the elements of success at his/her fingertips. Kapstone Recruiting & Training Services is dedicated to “elevating” the community by “educating” the community.

To pre-register: http://www.kapstonejobs.com/
Contact: tturner@kapstonejobs.com or (248) 794-7771


###