JOB TIP of the day # 3: What makes you unique?

 Two months ago, I attended a customer service seminar. The theme of the seminar was customer service excellence. The competent facilitator observed, " customer service is the NEW marketing."  So true!

In the competitive workforce customer service and the NEW kind of networking go hand and hand. (On the Today Show on NBC news this morning, the "mad money" expert predicted that if job creation was in the offing soon for America, then all would be well in the future).

Here's where YOU come in as the job seeker.  To achieve success in your job search, know your USP (unique sales points) BEFORE you apply for your desirable position.

Here's how the content of the customer service seminar can elevate YOUR USP:

Measure your "quality service" in a current or past job. Start with a benchmark. What do YOU want to achieve in your next position? Communicate to your potential employer that you have a benchmark for standards.

For example, the Four Seasons hotel, a prominent employer in the hospitality industry, requires job candidates to pass 4 interviews.

Model others' successes to identify your USP.  LL Bean, an online/catalogue retailer in America won the "best customer service" award in 2009 . Tony Hsieh, the highly successful owner of http://www.zappos.com/, remarked that the "telephone is one of the best branding devices." His recipe of success?

Deliver WOW through service. You can do the same with a potential employer.

Embrace and drive change.  Show employers that because of your USP, you can do this.

Last night, I saw a documentary on CBC news on how employers in the knowledge economy are looking for THINKERS. Before your next interview, be polished and show poise. Employers WILL take notice.

The new currency, reported CBC news (Canada), is IDEAS.

Go out and explore resources to develop your USP. I have many suggestions.

Need ideas? Contact me before you apply for your next application.

Melissa Martin, bilingual career coach and ebook author, How to use social media in your job search
http://www.careercoachingbyphone.com/

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JOB TIP of the day# 1

Beware of the failure syndrome which frequently affects people's job search.

Set 1 realistic goal to move forward.

Devote TIME  and "do the work" to GET work, such as researching employers thoroughly before applying and accepting an interview.  (You would be surprised how many job candidates attend an interview with "a blind eye.")

NEXT: how competitive intelligence will set you apart from other job seekers

Melissa Martin, bilingual career coach and ebook author, How to use social media in your job search
http://www.careercoachingbyphone.com/

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T.A.P. Q#498 – Unemployed & Unskilled, How Can I Get Ahead?

June 15, 2010 

Dear Experts,
I am unskilled, unemployed, living on a poverty-level income, over 50, and can’t afford to go to school to get skills. How can I get ahead?

Dear unskilled:

You are not alone. Go online and research free courses (they are available!)

Take advantage of government job centres where free courses and seminars are offered.
Register with temporary agencies. At Manpower (at least in Canada, I'm not sure about the U.S), once you register, you can get FREE software that you can access at home and build your skills.
Take a look at your community newspaper, choose a local event and volunteer, even for a short time. Better yet, target some businesses and non-profits where you would like to volunteer. Non-profits in particular are eager to have fresh blood to help them with short-term or long-term projects because they are often underfunded and short-staffed. Once you have some volunteering under your belt. Get recommendations or letters or reference.
Hope this helps!
Melissa Martin bilingual career coach
http://www.careercoachingbyphone.com/

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Daily Twitter question Q#497 – Should I Squeal on My Co-worker?

Today's question from careerealism.com:
Dear Experts,
My co-worker is being investigated for practicing some work techniques that are against the rules at the company. Personally, I don’t think it’s a big deal and my co-worker should not get in any trouble. If found guilty, she would probably lose her job.

Unfortunately, I have been dragged into the investigation so my boss wants to ask me a few questions regarding the incident. I don’t want to get my co-worker in trouble but I also do not want to lie to my boss. If I lie, it could come back and bite me in the butt.

How should I react to this situation?

Dear employee:
Carefully prepare what you are going to say to your employer. Stay with the facts and try to minimize any indiscriminate behaviour from your co-worker. You will raise suspicions if you don't say anything at all, however, consider your reputation and preserving your co-worker's reputation, if at all possible.

Melissa Martin, bilingual career coach
http://www.careercoachingbyphone.com/

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job search tips from HIRED TV hosts

I caught  a segment from the CBS Saturday morning show on job searching. Three people from Hired TV offered these nuggets of information for the the younger crowd,, just graduating from college or university.

-To quote one of the HIRED TV hosts, the "resume is dead." Make your resume a living resume and embrace technology. Be aware of technology such as social media to create an online resume, Realize that may be scrutinized by employers. "Everything is being recorded," Make sure you have a professional image on the internet. Employers and recruiters are searching for your name.

-When being interviewed by employers, "focus on the now and the future," not the past. Employers are curious about what you value you can add to their business or company in the present times.

-When preparing for the interview, come up with 3 adjectives to describe yourself. Offer concrete examples of how you exhibit those adjectives.

-Finally, when hired, |"create a strong presence in the company."

Best wishes in your job search.

Melissa Martin, bilingual career coacha nd ebook author, How to use social media in your job search
http://www.careercoachingbyphone.com/

Job search TIP # 16: "SNAP selling" can help your job search

Today, I received a webinar description about "fresh stategies to increase cold calling success."  The author, Jill Konrath, has written a book called Snap Selling. The strategies definitely apply to a creative and successful job search.

Cold calling is the MOST effective way of getting a job lead and tapping into the hidden job market. Here are Jill Konrath's tips, which you can use in your job search:


1. Craft your messages that cannot be ignored.  For example, your personal brand, online profile or achievements which have received attention, such as published blog articles, awards or promotions in your designated industry,

2. Create urgency around setting up a meeting with you.   I always endorse a SALES letter whenever possible, to attract employers' interest.

3. Pique curiosity about your product or service. Creativity and ingenuity are paramount in standing apart in your job search. My ebook "How to use social media in your job search" gives ample examples about being unconventional in your job search. Why settle for the norm when you can be unique and sell your USP (unique selling points) to get hired.  In the past, when I had "leaner" times in university, I earned quick income by selling some of the most difficult products, including vacuums and make-your-own-pop machines. The more you apply unconventional methods in your job search, the more you will be noticed. Dare to be different in attracting potential employers.

4. Position yourself as an invaluable resource.  Back to your essential USP. If you can make or save an employer money, or even save time, you will be the darling heart of an employer. EVERY job vacancy is an opportunity to solve a problem.

In a word, job searching is ALL sales and marketing.

"Fortune favours the bold," Virgil, Ancient Roman poet and writer
 
Melissa Martin, bilingual career coach and ebook author, How to use social media in your job search
http://www.careercoachingbyphone.com/
 

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T.A.P. Q#494 – Getting Feedback from the Interviewer-careerealism.com

Dear Experts,

I had a series of interviews last week with a few different companies. I don’t think any of the interviews will lead to any job offers but I am curious how I presented myself when I met each hiring manager.

Is there a proper process for obtaining feedback on my interview skills from the interviewer?

Dear interviewee:
I cannot recall a "proper process," however, there is etiquette, to some extent, in asking feedback from interviewers.

Keep in mind:
-with the risk of reprisal and possible risks of libel  cases if you contest their feedback, in extreme circumstances, (we do live in a society that is litigious in nature, unfortunately), interviewers may not be forthcoming
-interviewers may not be keen about disclosing how you "performed" or didn't perform during the interview, because of the above reasons

That said, reaffirm your enthusiasm about working for the company or in the designated industry and the reasons why you want to work for them. Then ask tactfully, and with poise, how you desire to improve your interviewing skills in the future. Depending on the context (talking to Human Resources, who may be more inclined to "go by the book" with procedures, you could take a risk in asking something like, " I realize that you may not provide a detailed answer, but it would really benefit my active job search to know how I can concentrate on being a star candidate the next time around." (Or something to that effect).

In closing, don't expect a full-fledged, candid answer from interviewers. Don't mistake my message. Interviewers  have their own criteria and agenda. For example, they may use the practice of a pseudo interview (see my previous post on my blog) or may not be enthusiastic about being candid with a "stranger." When I say that, I mean that employers would rather hire based on the 3 R's: reputation, recommendation and referrals. And I could show you statistics of how a certain percentage of interviewers are not qualified to interview in the first place!  You have talent! Someone will discover it in time.

Best of luck in your job search.

Melissa Martin, bilingual career coach and ebook author, How to find a job using social media
http://www.careercoachingbyphone.com/

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