May 3rd, 2010 by Kira
One of the biggest complaints that we hear from people who are attempting to break into a new position or industry is that it’s almost impossible to get a job without experience, but then – where is it you get that experience – exactly? 
Taking a few (temporary) steps backward – unfortunately one of the most common things that individuals have to do in this type of situation is to literally take a few steps back in their career. Whether it’s moving back into an entry-level position or taking a salary lower than where you’d like to be – it’s much easier to move up in these positions to get to where you want to go than it is to shoot for the top. While we do still recommend trying to get the position that you want, it’s also important to be open if something else is available that would help you get your foot in the door.
Pointing out the connections – often times individuals who have been in a specific industry for any length of time cannot see the connections of your previous work experience to where you want to go. It’s important that you point these out to your potential new employer – state the “obvious” and how what you’ve done previously connects to where you want to go, why you are changing, and what you can bring to the position. This is a great thing to put in your cover letter and set the tone that you are willing to learn and that your previous experience does indeed relate. Be careful not to do over do it, there’s no need to convince here, but simply state it.
Learn the lingo – if you want to be a duck, then you’ve got to talk like one too. Each industry has language unique to its people, not being familiar with this language and not utilizing it in your resume or your interview is a sure sign that you’re not experienced in that area.
Pull some strings – occasionally the only option to breakthrough into a new industry is to simply pull some strings. This could consist of utilizing staffing agencies or recruiters or using other backdoor tactics to getting your foot in the door. If you can build trust with an outside party, who has the trust of the hiring manager, it’s much easier to get an opportunity than trying to go at it alone.
Tags: New Position, work experience
Posted in Candidates, FORTIS, Job Search | No Comments »
April 5th, 2010 by Kira
Okay, it’s time to have some fun and think outside of the box. If you are doing what everyone else is doing to find a new position, then your resume may be getting lost in the 3 inch stack of resumes on the corner of the hiring manager’s desk.
First things first, network. Use the power of relationships to find a back door into a company. Attend local networking events, chapter or association meetings, or industry conferences. When meeting people let them know that you are in the market for a new position, if they are willing to chat, share your qualifications with them and what type of company you are looking to work for. Ask if you can follow up, send your resume, and if there’s any way you can support them (and be sure to do it if you can).
Social media. Find the big players in your industry through social media sites like Linked In and Twitter and engage in a conversation with them. Once you know that you’ve noticed them, open the door to take the conversation offline and see if there’s a way you can provide your resume, take them to lunch to pick their brain, or some other creative way.
Make friends with recruiters and staffing companies. These people have first hand contacts with employers who are looking for quality people. Let the recruiters know you are looking, what you are qualified for, and how you can contribute to their clients companies.
Regardless of what strategy you use, in a crowded marketplace, finding something creative to help you stand out could be the difference between getting a job and not getting one.
Tags: Hiring Manager, Market, New Position, Social Media, Staffing Companies
Posted in Candidates, Clients, FORTIS, Job Search, Uncategorized | No Comments »
March 1st, 2010 by Kira
There is a significant bottom line that cannot be ignored in any corporation or small business. That bottom line ultimately equals dollar amounts, a company’s sole way of surviving is by keeping that bottom line profitable and watching their expenses. Unfortunately, the employees of those same companies often forget that in order to survive as a company the money must be coming in and the business must be generating more than enough revenue to pay for the salaries, pay roll taxes, health insurance, workers compensation, rent, office supplies, insurance, etc.
So what happens when you want a raise, a promotion, or just a new position? The mistake many people make in going in to ask or present a new opportunity to their boss or employer is forgetting the “what’s in it for me” factor.
Generally speaking a person will go into a meeting speaking of all the great things they have done in the past and sometimes with the attitude that the company or employer “owes” them this raise/promotion, but that’s a grave mistake. When you are ready to move up in the company and you are asking for more money from the bottom line you have to consider what you are really asking for. That’s why you need to present your value to the company and stay away from the feeling reasons of why your just the better person.
Here’s an example, go in with information and statistics on what you’ve been doing and what you plan to do with the new position, how you can benefit the company either by bringing in more money or by reducing more costs, saving them more time, effort or energy. The employer needs to know that giving you this raise is essentially not an additional liability to the bottom line, but actually an asset because of all that you bring to the table.
This approach will get you much farther, faster because like I said before, if the company isn’t thriving neither are you.
Tags: New Position, Promotion, Raise, Value
Posted in Candidates, Clients, FORTIS, Job Search | No Comments »
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