Conducting a “Proactive” Job Search in the Twin Cities

1. Conducting a “Proactive” Job Search in the Twin Cities Darren Kaltved Associate Director, Career Services School of Public Health

2. WORKSHOP AGENDA • NETWORKING • What is Networking? • Resistance/Beliefs about Networking • Types of Networking (informational interviewing) • Steps of Networking & Practice • Bumper Sticker • How to construct your sticker • PERSONAL BRANDING • Is perception reality? • SOCIAL MEDIA • LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter • Applications • Customization, Interpreting Job Postings, Skills

3. NETWORKING Establishing & maintaining lines of communication with others • What is Networking: • Networking is about relationships. • People connecting with people • Finding some common interest between the people who are talking to each other: kids, dogs, book, golf, managers, (like you did in the introductions) or a mutual friend/acquaintance • Information exchange • Information gained and contacts made • We do this all the time – without even being aware that we are doing it

4. RESISTANCE & BELIEFS FINISH THESE STATEMENTS: (individually) • I don’t network because… • I would network if… Which of these are under your control? ___________________________________________________________ Beliefs • Networking is phony or manipulative • Networking is designed to convince someone to do something they don’t really want to do • Networking is selling myself • Networking requires an extraverted style • Networking is mostly done in large groups and requires spontaneity

5. THE TRUTH • Resistance is Normal • Networking is about using social, personal and professional contacts to help you to learn more about a field of interest, or organization. • Networking is not only for Extroverts • It can be planned…and happens when you least expect it to • Networking is not about only selling yourself, it’s about learning and gathering more information • People enjoy talking about themselves and enjoy helping others…you are not a nuisance (note: if someone asked you, would you help?) ___________________________________________________________ Challenge: • Ask them: how did you find your last 2 jobs? • Write down strategies…share with large group

6. WIIFM = What’s in it for me? Networking allows you to: • Tap into the hidden job market (side door approach) • Have an edge on the competition due to the relationship you have established • To be informed • Gain visibility for future opportunities • Gain referrals (recommendations by people industry trusts) • Good people know other good people. Therefore, it’s easier and safer to recruit an employee who, by word-of-mouth, has been recommended as a good fit. • Strong networking = shorter job search It is all about who you know or need to get to know, and what you do with what you know.

7. NETWORKING FOR INTROVERTS • Drop the word “networking”. Instead, refer to this process as “gathering information”, “having coffee with someone”, or “building a few in-depth relationships with someone”. • Finding your passion will help eliminate introversion. • Introverts can use the written word (especially email) and referrals to get the ball rolling. • Talk to people you already know well to get job leads (i.e. family members, close friends, people close to them). • Join at least one professional association and attend related events – this strategy is uncommon, but the most beneficial. • Online social networking is also recommended for Introverts, as well as blogs, discussion groups/listservs, etc.

8. INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS One of the best sources for gathering information about what's happening in an occupation or an industry is to talk to people working in the field. This process is called informational or research interviewing. An informational interview is an interview that you initiate - you ask the questions. The purpose is to obtain information, not to get a job. Following are some good reasons to conduct informational interviews: • to explore careers and clarify your career goal • to discover employment opportunities that are not advertised • to expand your professional network • to build confidence for your job interviews • to access the most up-to-date career information • to identify your professional strengths and weaknesses 2 Types of Informational Interviews: • Information Exchange: to find out more about the person’s field, department, company • Advice & Suggestions: suggestions for resume, experience building, education, connections

9. POTENTIAL RESOURCES • Professional Associations or Societies • Alumni from your alma mater…living/working in MN • LinkedIn • Your Partner’s colleagues • Community Groups or Churches • Ms. Mary Everley

10. “OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW”

11. INFOMERCIAL or ELEVATOR PITCH You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. That’s why you need to be able to introduce yourself and answer the question “tell me about yourself” clearly and concisely. You may use your “infomercial” when you are networking prior to your actual job search; or to articulate your answer “tell me about yourself” during the job interview. • Say your name slowly and clearly • Clear, crisp, concise (2 minutes or less) • Mini-bio (who are you, what is your specialty, why you are unique, and what are your aspirations (short-term) • End with an open-ended question for the recipient …But here’s the down side

12. EXAMPLE YOU: Hi, I’m Jane – and you? HIM: I’m Carl. It’s nice to meet you, Jane. What brought you here tonight? YOU: Oh, my friend Maggie is one of the organizers. I’ve never been to a meet-up before. How about you? CARL: I come to this group occasionally, and always have fun when I do. So, are you a marketing person? YOU: I’m an Events Planner. I work for High Point Events, a national event-planning firm, and I’m the local person here in Springfield. I plan and execute events from bar mitzvahs to corporate sales off-sites, everything from choosing the venue to arranging the content, audio visuals and budget to create an unforgettable emotional experience for the participants. I work with most of the big hotels in town and many of our largest employers, from XYZ Labs to Charisma Confections and many others. I’ve been in the business for eight years, and I love what I do. CARL: Wow….that’s outstanding. Gosh, you know what, I just spotted my old boss coming in – I’ve got to go say hello. Nice to meet you Angela — er, Paula? Sorry — have a great evening! THOUGHTS?

13. BETTER EXAMPLE A typical networking conversation tends to flow more like this: YOU: Hi, I’m Jane – and you? HIM: I’m Carl. Nice to meet you, Jane. What brought you here tonight? YOU: Oh, my friend Maggie is one of the organizers. I’ve never been to a meet-up before. How about you? CARL: I come to this group occasionally, and always have fun when I do. So, are you a marketing person? YOU: I’m an event planner, so I’m in the same vein. I didn’t see any event planning meet-ups so I tagged along with Jane at this marketing one. CARL: So, what sorts of events do you work on? Do you work for yourself?

14. WHY BUMPER STICKERS? • It lets the listener, rather than the speaker, decide how much information is enough and how much is too much. • It keeps the focus on the two people in the conversation (or three, or more) rather than on anyone’s job description (which may well be the least interesting thing about you, in any case). • It doesn’t hijack the conversation and turn it into a sales pitch, or run the risk of appearing to do so. • It gives the new acquaintance just enough information to remember “Oh yes, Jane, the event planner.” • It is polite!

15. BUMPER STICKERS • Easier to memorize and more conversational • Short, benefit-focused statement • What you do or how you help in 5-10 seconds Example “I speak for organizations that want to help their people have better, more profitable conversations” OR “I help people chit-chat their way to success” WHAT WOULD YOU PUT ON YOURS!

16. FOLLOW-UP IS KEY Follow-up is often the most overlooked part of networking. Remember, any contact you have with a professional (info interview, interview, event, etc.) – you should always follow-up. • Nurture Connections (value-added networking) – look for opportunities to help them • Potential Mentor/Sponsor • Career Opportunity might arise • Future questions? – this is a new resource • Follow-up with your status on additional contacts they helped you make • Demonstrate your integrity and follow-through skills • Keep track of contacts (jibberjobber.com) • Handwritten thank you or e-mail (widely accepted) • Should be called “Great to meet you because…” letter

17. ARE JOB BOARDS & RESUMES BECOMING EXTINCT?

18. According to the Wall Street Journal (January 2011) “Recruiters Rethink Online Playbook”, • "Many plan to scale back their use of online job boards, which they say generate mostly unqualified leads, and hunt for candidates with a particular expertise on places like LinkedIn before they post an opening. As the market gets more competitive again, they are hiring recruiters with expertise in headhunting and networking, rather than those with experience processing paperwork.“ SO WHAT DO YOU DO…

19. LINKEDIN WORLD’S LARGEST PROFESSIONAL NETWORK ON THE INTERNET Helps you exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with a broader network of professionals • Over 450 MILLION members from over 200 countries/territories (49 % in U.S.; 61% outside U.S.) • Members include executives from ALL FORTUNE 500 Companies • Over 2 MILLION company profiles • Professionals are joining LinkedIn at a rate that is faster than two new members per second. • 46% of employers use LinkedIn to research new hires (Careerbuilder.com) • 85% use LinkedIn or Google to search candidates (NACE) • 82% of Fortune 100 companies use LinkedIn for their Corporate Hiring Solutions • According to the Harvard Business Review, 80% of jobs are obtained through networking • In 2008, social networking sites, including blogs and LinkedIn were used more than email (Nielson Online) LINKEDIN – It is not a matter of using it, but more importantly how you use it!

20. LINKEDIN PROFILE • Profile Picture • Professional Headline • Summary • Experience • Skills (50/50) • Connections • Projects • Education • Volunteering • …Other sections Darren’s Profile

21. LINKEDIN – IN – ACTION

22. PERSONAL BRANDING

23. PERCEPTION VS. REALITY Do you think perception is reality? Robin Williams Steve Martin

24. BRANDING • When you see brands somewhere, you associate them with a set of expectations or perceptions that are connected with a product or service. • You associate these concepts, thoughts, and images with the particular companies because of the brand each company has established. • A brand is a unique promise of value.

25. LETS CHAT • What brand do you associate with the most? (product or person) • Why do you like it (her or him)? • From a brand perspective, what is its (her or his) “unique promise of value”?

26. WHY BUILD A BRAND? • Puts you in charge of leaving a footprint. • Establishes credibility and visibility. • Provides a competitive edge – differentiate yourself. • To find people who compliment your strengths.

27. WHAT ARE EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR

28. HERE IS WHAT THEY WANT… • Knowledge / Skills / Abilities • Self-Awareness • High Emotional Intelligence • Self-Esteem/Confidence • Passion • Awareness of strengths/weaknesses • Top 10 Skills (NACE): • Communication, Integrity, Interpersonal, Technical, Analytical, Initiative, Adaptability, Work Ethic, Team-work, Detail-oriented • How can you help our bottom line…

29. JOB SEARCH PROCESS Conducting a job search takes time, commitment, and organization. Here are a few tips to help you through the process: • Assess yourself: Be certain you know your own values, skills, strengths, and work criteria. • Create your own marketing materials:Develop a portfolio, write a resume and cover letter, have an online presence, and script an elevator pitch. • Gather information: Network in professional associations, conduct informational interviews, or “try on” a position through volunteering, job shadowing, or part-time employment. • Apply for positions that match your qualifications:Apply for positions for which you possess most of the required qualifications - even if you don't possess all of the skills listed in the job description. (60% rule) • Interview preparation: Even before you are invited to interview, begin preparing. Think about and practice your responses to the most commonly asked questions. • Stay on task: by persistent, prioritize and organization search information (deck of cards rule)

30. APPLICATIONS When applying for job opportunities (or inquiring about opportunities), here are a few tips to help you out: • Customize all application materials to the position and/or organization • Focus on the keywords • Government applications (federal) are a nightmare…RUN! • The format for all materials should be the same • It is not about what the company can do for you…it is what you can do for the company • Remember – you are one-in-a-million…not one-of-a-million! Steps: • Go through the position description and highlight all keywords that represent your Skills, Knowledge, and/or Experience. • Incorporate these keywords into your resume (use their lingo) • Select the 3-5 that are your strongest…this becomes the Summary section of your resume and is what will be narrated in your cover letter

31. SIDE DOOR APPROACH Who do you know on the inside? Online Application Process

32. JOB SEARCH RESOURCES • indeed.com • linkedin.com/jobs • minnesotanonprofits.org • mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/find-a-job/ • minnesotajobs.com/ • goldpass.umn.edu/

33. GoldPASS

34. GoldPASS

35. GoingGlobal

36. GoingGLOBAL MN

37. ANYONE…ANYONE…ANYONE…BUELLER Thanks for coming! Darren Kaltved Associate Director, Career Services dkaltved@umn.edu www.linkedin.com/in/darrenkaltved

38. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer This publication/material is available in alternative formats upon request. Direct requests to Nora Hayes, Communications, nhayes@umn.edu, 612-624-8678.. .