Career Advice Podcasts & Job Seeker Network

Mom re-entering the workforce/How do I get to "speak" to recruiters directly?

Hi - anyone have success re-entering the workforce in this economy? I have applied for several jobs, many of which I'm probably over-qualified for, and more often than not, I don't even get an acknowledgement. On-line job-hunting has been useless! Aren't there
any companies out there that see value in talking with people anymore?

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Permalink Reply by Janet White on January 22, 2009 at 3:15pm: Kathy,it is important for you to understand that the only reason you will get hired is because the person hiring you believes you can solve their problem. Stop thinking you're "filling an opening;" you're not. You're solving a company's problem, and when you help them solve their problem, they will solve yours.

If you're responding to job postings and waiting for a response, you're wasting your time. Instead, decide what kind of work you want to do and then identify companies who do that kind of work or need what you have to offer. Then research those companies so you know something about them - their challenges, problems, opportunities, products and customers.

Then, pick up the telephone, call the companies and ask for the name and title of the person in charge of the department in which you want to work - this is "Mr. Bigg," your future boss and the only person who has the authority to hire you. Recruiters don't hire anyone and HR doesn't hire anyone above the level of secretary, so don't bother with them.

Then, use snail mail (the kind with a stamp) and write to Mr. Bigg discussing what you understand to be his situation, and suggest you might be able to help him with it. Don't "sell yourself," because you'll only alienate Mr. Bigg. Instead, talk to him about what HE is interested in, not what you are interested in.

One week to the day you mail the letter, get back on the phone and telephone Mr. Bigg to set up your meeting. If he didn't get, didn't read or doesn't remember it, tell him what you know about his situation just like you wrote about, and suggest you have some ideas about it you'd like to share with him.

Chances are that he'll get you on his calendar so fast you'll wonder what happened.

Janet White, Author
Secrets of the Hidden Job Market: Change Your Thinking to Get the Job of Your Dreams
janet@jobmarketsecrets.com or jobmarketsecrets@aol.com
www.jobmarketsecrets.com
Sign up for Quite the Contrary, a very different kind of job-finding advice ezine.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kathy Hocking on January 25, 2009 at 4:08pm: Hi Janet,
Thanks for your input. I agree that job-seekers in my situation need to do MORE than simply apply for jobs and await responses but I'm not sure your methodologies would work for me given my current situation and personality.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Janet White on January 25, 2009 at 4:09pm: What is your situation and personality and why wouldn't it work?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Aaron Blower on January 22, 2009 at 3:32pm: Kathy:

Janet gives some excellent advice. My concern is that it may not be applicable in today's job market. When the economy is going well, most organizations make it pretty easy for a hiring manager to create a new position for somebody who can solve their problems. In times like these, when hiring is severely restricted, they don't have that kind of flexibility. If there is a hiring freeze, you may be able to solve all of the problems in the world, but you still will not get a job. At the same time, these types of meetings with hiring managers, even if they CAN'T hire, can be invaluable to your career, so they are still worth doing.

So I would follow basically the same principal as Janet outlined, except focus on companies that are hiring and positions that are open. Never send a resume until you have at the very least had a conversation with the recruiter, but preferably with the hiring manager. But Janet is right to focus on solving problems, not filling a "job."

Aaron Blower
Chelsea Search Group, Inc.
http://www.blog.chelsearecruiters.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kathy Hocking on January 25, 2009 at 4:16pm: Hi Aaron,

I like your response - good advice. Believe it or not, I did identify a few companies of interest, and called to speak with the hiring managers but was told to send my resume and I'd be contacted if there was any interest on their end. I've decided that I need to be working in a company that shares my philosophies. I refuse to pretend to be someone I'm not in my job search. Idealistic maybe, but not impossible.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Leslie Lopez on January 22, 2009 at 3:38pm: I second Janet's response. You must change your mind set and step out of the box when looking for work in this market.

Try not to blindly submit your resume to hundreds of companies. Target a couple of companies at a time and begin building relationships. Have you ever heard of LinkedIn.com? If you haven't, I advice that you to build a page and begin networking.

Another thing, what does your resume look like? Always make sure that you cater your resume to the posting you are applying for. One of my biggest pet peeves is to receive a high end candidate's resume for a data entry position. Be selective and keep a good attitude. Things will change with time!

Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with!

Leslie M. Lopez, Certified Staffing Professional
EMAIL: leslie@bentleychannelgroup.com
FACEBOOK: http://groups.to/recruitingfortoday/
LINKEDIN: http://www.linkedin.com/in/leslopez
MYSPACE: http://myspace.com/bentleychannelgroup
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/Artisticleslie; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by B. Corrado on January 22, 2009 at 5:55pm: All sage advice. Re-entry however presents added challenges. In addition to working a network (renewing it if you haven't kept up with it), it's critical to have a resume that is well written and clearly outlines the transferable skills you've used, developed and refined during your time out of the workforce. Ones that are directly relevant to the position(s) you're targeting.

Although I don't recommend job boards (typically useless in job searches) - I do recommend checking out the niche sites targeted to help moms return to work if you haven't already. Great communities of like-minded women (you know how powerful the collective mindshare can be!), helpful tips, some sites even have jobs listed. The few that immediately come to mind: Women at Work, Back to Work Moms and Jobs and Moms.

In this economy, you may also want to consider part-time roles which give you an opportunity to showcase your skills and abilities and offer a better chance of hiring when the economy up ticks. Some of the niche sites above offer these as well.

If you'd like to talk about your resume - feel free to contact me. Good luck!

Betty
bacorrado@optonline.net; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kathy Hocking on January 25, 2009 at 4:26pm: Hi Betty,

Yes, I agree! Thanks for those website names. I plan on checking them out.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kathy Hocking on January 25, 2009 at 4:23pm: Hi Leslie,

Thanks for the advice. I have not sent my resume out blindly to any company and will not. I have researched each before applying for jobs, and placed follow-up phone calls as well. And yes, I have a LinkedIn profile but in this economy, it hasn't been helpful. Lastly, I think my resume is very well written. I've had coaching from both my attorney husband, as well as a staffing agency I've been working with. I do tailor the wording to suit the jobs I've been interested in but most are similar so I tend not to make many changes.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Darlene McDaniel on January 22, 2009 at 5:56pm: Hi Kathy,

You have definitely received some great advice from my colleagues below. Let me add a few things. First, this is an employers market, not an employee's market. Companies can do just about anything they want to do, including not responding to your resume or application. Second, gone are the days of sitting at home and responding to job boards, filling out applications, etc. It is truly a new day and if you want to get a job in these very challenging times, you have to get out there and network. That is how you get a job in 2009. Linkedin is a great place to start if you need to get your feet wet with online networking, however I highly recommend that you start talking to people you know. Someone you know, knows someone you need to know who is looking for what you offer.

I have no idea what type of job you are looking for, but I am confident, that within your network, there is someone who knows someone you need to know. You will not find that person unless you start talking about what you are looking for. These are not conversations of desperation. These are conversations about your ability to solve problems. Do you know who you are and what you bring to the table? If you don't than start there, so that when you have an opportunity to speak to a hiring manager, you can articulate who you are and how you can help them solve their problem (see Janet's comment below).

Third, there are companies that are hiring today. They may or may not be in your niche. They may or may not be what you are looking for. Can you reinvent yourself? The answer should be "yes". Identify who is hiring, find out what skills you have, what they are looking for, and figure out how to transfer what you bring to the table into the organization that is hiring. It is not impossible to find a job today, but the job search process has changed significantly and in my humble opinion it is still evolving. What we use today may be significantly different before the year is over.

Please come back and share your success story. It is out there waiting for you to step into it! Good Luck!

Darlene
Interview Guru
www.interviewchatter.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mcdarling; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kathy Hocking on January 25, 2009 at 4:36pm: Darlene,

How inspiring! I think you've hit the nail on the head for me. Maybe I haven't dug deep enough to figure out what I really want to be doing. Instead, I've been focusing my search on my past career (9 years ago before children), thinking I'd be more likely to get a job doing what I did before (healthcare practice management). Clearly, I'm not passionate about it and perhaps that's why I haven't found anything. In this ever-changing world, I have not exactly kept up with current business practices and figured I'd settle for a more "basic" and probably less satisfying job than I'd prefer for the time being then, determine what I really long for and go for it when the economy gets better. In any case, you've got me thinking! Thank you.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Darlene McDaniel on January 26, 2009 at 12:15am: Hi Kathy,

I am glad to help. Please feel free to check out my free coaching sessions available. I would love to speak to you if you think it will help you get some clarity. I am also looking forward to hearing the end of this story. You will find something that will be fulfilling!

Click here to check out my blog Interview Chatter post Need A Coach?

Let me know if you would like to meet by phone!

Darlene
Interview Guru
www.interviewchatter.com; ▶ Reply to This