Career Change Considerations: Active - Passive Search, Loyality, and Needed Research →

This article is also included in CEM LinkedIn Articles Section as well as on LinkedIn on my newsletter site

Question: Why do passive job seekers have an advantage over companies looking to hire?

Answer: Fear of making a hiring mistake is the driving force behind this practice. It leads to some employers judging job applicants by their employment status, although it has nothing to do with their talent or ability. It seems clear that part of what drives this fear is that the hiring manager does not trust their instincts.

Good jobs are often filled by the HR department or a recruiter asking someone employed if they would consider a change or finding a candidate that looks like a great match on LinkedIn, even though they are used to reaching out to them to consider the job. (Strong hint here, keep your profile current)

The employer assumes in these cases that they don’t need to worry about why the candidate left their last job and that the person must have value since they have a job. The employer puts themselves in a position of a buyer. They may overpay and find they don’t have all the necessary facts. A potential employee must present their case as part of a seller. They still decide on whether to take the job, but they also have to explain why they should get the job, and in the case of a company approaching a currently employed person, they have already taken the first step in the “buying” process.

These folks are called "passive candidates." They are only candidates for a job once someone from the employer reaches them.

Why would any employer prefer someone a recruiter finds on LinkedIn -- someone who may never have heard of your company -- to someone who has invested time and energy in contacting you to inquire about employment?

These issues bring the subject of loyalty into some focus. For example, will the employee a company steals or entices to leave their current employer be loyal to them? For example, would a potential employee who researched the market and determined that his best fit might be with a particular company is more dedicated to it because of the work it took to find that job?

Do you know if hiring ethics belongs in this discussion? I am reminded of a friend who told me he was hired away from another company around 1950. He was working for a company that sold to stores in San Francisco. He was well known, and the more significant competitor had been impressed by his work. Things changed for him at his company and he approached the leading competitor and was taken to the company president in his interview. My friend had taken a lot of their business and it was obvious that he would be a valuable new hire. The President saw it that way and hired my friend under a particular condition. The new hire was not allowed to call on any accounts, not just his own but any accounts in the area, for one year and was required to work in the warehouse. The reason was that the hiring company wanted to avoid exploiting their competitor. Non-compete clauses were not used at that time in this area and field, but company ethics, when practiced, were all that was needed. My friend stayed loyal to this company and their President throughout his career from that point forward.

What is the "Tide" in your life? →

Warren Edward Buffett is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is currently the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and is one of the most successful investors in the world. He has a net worth of over $103 billion as of August 2022, making him the world's seventh-wealthiest person. (137.4 billion in March of 202)

Most people already know who this man is, but his advice here is potentially broad-based in its application.

Buffett says, “You never know who is swimming naked until the tide goes out,” for his purpose, the tide would probably be a person’s accurate financial profile left on its own when the market drops.

For the employed, it could be their skills and knowledge while still used, and the tide would go out when the job ends.

It could determine whether you have what you claim based on your current standing. Consider yourself the focus and priority instead of thinking about financial stress. Could you tell me if you are bluffing your existing or potential employer? Do you have the needed skills and training you need?

10 Challenges to Finding a Job and Useful Suggestions →

Could you keep the job you have? Now more than ever, make yourself a valuable employee. Do more than is expected. Solve problems and do so consistently. Show initiative and do things without being asked to add value. Be a keen problem solver. Please look for ways to make improvements.  Keep your technical skills current and recognize what changes will bring and the skills that will be needed. Improve your communication skills

1. Having No Clear Direction

You're unlikely to be very successful if you have a scattergun approach to job-hunting. So, if you find yourself firing off 20 applications a day, hoping you’ll get called for at least one, you should probably take a step back and rethink your approach. Pay close attention to the job spec and make sure you have the required skills and experience, and then some. That way, you will focus on jobs you can do and have a better chance of securing a new job.

2. Not Beating Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

With applicant tracking systems remaining at the forefront of the recruiting process, it’s often hard for your resume or CV to reach the hands of a qualified recruiter. As a result, HR managers increasingly rely on the power of ATSs to find suitable candidates based on keyword matches – undoubtedly one of the worst pieces of technology to solve a human problem.

And although the ATS scanner rejects most candidates, you could be among the successful applicants – if you address a few issues before firing off your application and resume. Firstly, ensure the exact keywords from the job description are incorporated into your resume naturally. Secondly, run your CV through an online ATS or resume scanner to spot any mistakes or missed opportunities before sending it to the hiring manager.

3. Having No Connections

In today’s job search, a referral gives you a better chance of getting noticed – and hired – by employers. An employee referral program is a cheaper alternative to recruiting and makes you a more trustworthy candidate in recruiters’ eyes, as there is a standard connection to vouch for you. So, suppose you’re embarking on your job search alone. In that case, you should change strategies and start talking to your acquaintances about it – they may know about an opening at their company and might be able to recommend you. If you don’t have a vast professional network, consider attending networking events to improve your situation.

 

4. Skipping the Cover Letter

A rookie mistake many applicants make when applying for a job is failing to submit a cover letter. Many assume that hiring managers won’t read it and that it wastes time. But while they indeed don’t always read your cover letter, it doesn’t give you the green light to ditch it all together! A cover letter shows your personality, work ethic, and attention to detail in a way that a CV or résumé can’t! Although job ads don’t always specify that a cover letter is required, you should always write one to accompany your CV. Failure to do so can cost you an interview. That said, don’t just write any old jargon; your cover letter should tell the hiring manager what relevant skills you bring and examples of where you’ve used them in past positions.

5. Lacking Confidence

A lack of confidence is the most significant hindrance to job search success. If you lack confidence in your skills to perform well on the job, rest assured you won’t be able to sell yourself to a potential employer through your application or an interview (if you manage to secure one).

 

To help you be more confident, you should consult with friends and family who will be able to give you pointers. Meanwhile, don’t forget to practice your answers to common interview questions when it comes to preparing for an interview. Remember: you won’t have the confidence to carry on without adequate preparation.

 

6. Relying Solely on Job Advertisements

While job postings and advertisements are valuable opportunities, you shouldn’t rely solely on them to secure a new position. Instead, why not list the top employers you’d like to work for and then check their websites for vacancies? This strategy makes you far more likely to find your dream job! It would help if you also spent a lot of time on LinkedIn searching for new opportunities; with their tailored algorithm, you will receive job suggestions based on your skills and experience, so you’ll be more likely to succeed using this method.

 

7. Only Having One Version of Your CV

Another rookie mistake is having only one version of your resume and sending it out without changing it to multiple job positions. This is neither effective nor productive as other jobs require different skills and have explained the responsibilities in their posting. So, instead of having a one-size-fits-all resume, create a separate version for each position you’re interested in and capable of doing. You don’t have to rewrite the entire document; you can amend your career objective or tweak your work experience section to suit the job. Perhaps you might want to emphasize different skills for different opportunities to ensure it passes the ATS we mentioned above.

8. Relying on Headhunters and Recruiters

Although headhunters and recruiters are great ways to find new opportunities, you shouldn’t rely solely on their assistance. Their priority is their clients (paying their salary), so they will ensure they find a good match for the client and not necessarily for you.

 

You will most likely find networking more fruitful with clients and colleagues than wasting time on a recruiter that promises you the world but doesn’t deliver any opportunities you’d want to take.

9. Not Following Up

This is something that I’ve been guilty of in the past and probably something that you can relate to, as well! Often, we fire off an application and then wait (sometimes for weeks on end) without even following up with the hiring manager. So, although you think your work is complete after sending your CV and cover letter, it has just begun! There’s no harm in sending an email or making a phone call to check on the status of your application. It can put you at the forefront of the interview list, showing that you’re committed to bagging the position.

10. Having No Clear Career Goals

There are a few situations when we are forced to search for a new job, including being unhappy in our current position, being made redundant, or seeking a career change. In each of these circumstances, it’s uncommon to feel pressured into accepting the first offer that comes our way without actually thinking about our goals.

 

To ensure you always stay on track when looking for new work, list your three top career goals and cross-reference them every time you apply to a new position. If the job doesn’t match your criteria, move on to something that will! Although you might feel that you will never find what you genuinely want to do, it's within arm's reach with the right amount of hard work and dedication.

 Considering these difficulties and applying the advice provided, your search will be considerably less challenging and more productive! It no longer must be a daunting process but one you’re comfortable with and good at! What difficulties have you faced when searching for a job? Let us know your experiences in the comments section below.

When Making a Career Change should you Consider Startup Jobs →

Career changes and job seekers face challenging decisions in today’s evolving world. So what about Startup Companies? They might be an option, but is it the right option?

• What would lead you to accept a job at a startup?

• What would your main concerns be about working for a new and small employer?

• What factors should people consider before making a move to a startup?

The factors influencing these questions can be positive and negative and must be carefully considered.

In recent years some markets have offered attractive startup markets. For example, the Utah Tech Startup Incubator is committed to turning new technologies and ideas into companies. They say they provide resources to foster the growth of entrepreneurial start-up companies and early-stage technology research projects.

As a career development coach and advisor, I have often worked with job seekers to review these opportunities' pros and cons.

Working in a startup can offer you the best chances of rapid personal growth if the start-up succeeds and your role fits your career objectives. Moreover, the learning opportunities at a startup could benefit you throughout your career.

The experience of successfully working with a startup has future value in the job market and will help you stand out from the competition. Startups place loads of responsibility on their employees because they usually help with everything outside a rigid and established job description where opportunities for learning and growth are plentiful.

Owners and employees work together, often with no middle management, and you can learn from the sources. The hours will likely be extended and the pay low, but when you leave the company, you may stand out as a real expert if the work fits your overall resume direction.

The risk for these career choices is accurate, as shown by the "Small Business Administration (SBA) report in 2019 that showed the failure rate of startups was around 90%. The research concludes that 21.5% of startups fail in the first year, 30% in the second year, 50% in the fifth year, and 70% in their 10th year."

Research with the startup business owners found that reasons for failure included money running out, being in the wrong market, a lack of research, bad partnerships, ineffective marketing, and not being an expert in the industry—all reasons startups are risky.

Job Seeking candidates I have worked with sometimes tell me about these opportunities and think they are "better than nothing.” They have long been looking for a good career fit and are mentally exhausted. In those situations, their motives are not helping them make the right decision, but the potential employer who would hire them likely sees that, and the employers’ motives may not be right in either. Perhaps in those cases, they are just looking for cheap help.

Job Candidates who feel desperate may only make things worse in the long run by jumping into a job that is a considerable risk or from which the work is outside their current career focus. It is always better instead to help them find a job fit that will last and enable them to recover from their challenges.

Why are there more jobs than applicants and what really changed? →

Finding a job is an ongoing process. People change jobs on average 12 times during a career. So job seekers, job hunters, and even the employees need to understand how to make their work stand out and where the next job could be.

Things have changed for the employer and the applicant regarding how they look for jobs. The significant change is the applicants who have become much more decerning and don’t want to settle.

“If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all heart matters, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on.”

―Steve Jobs

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."

—Confucius

One example can be found in looking at food service jobs. It has only been about two years since large fast-food chains offered to start wages of $7.50 an hour. Some even had assistant managers at under $10.00 per hour. Today many chains pay $14.50 and $15.00 per hour and have added benefits. When the industry needs to double the wages and benefits offered in this short time, it shouldn’t be surprising that potential workers might have some resentment, especially when they often can do better than the new wage offered. Workers just aren’t settling and may not find their love but want to find one they like better.

Employers don’t want to settle either as they try to find good fits for their jobs, and offering better wages and benefits is expected to help solve the problems, but they have been slow to change their perception of what a good employee might be.

Potential applicants still have to get their resumes through the scanners, which continue to use their algorithms to weed out a lot of applications. Unless applicants understand how the algorithms work and what keywords they need to use, their resumes won’t even be seen for a job they might be well qualified for.

You have to find your own job →

“If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on.”

―Steve Jobs

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day."

—Confucius

Why did Steve Jobs say this? It does make a difference in the outcome if you expect others to find you a job. Will you likely get the job you love if you let others see it for you?

Often I am asked as a Career Development coach to help someone find a job. The problem is sometimes the person asking means will I find them a job. Steve Jobs advises those looking for an appointment to “not settle.” Instead, Confucius advises those job seekers to choose the job they love.

Add this old proverb to this, and it fits like a glove:

“If you give a man a fish, he is hungry again in an hour. If you teach him to catch a fish, you do him a good turn, and he never has to be hungry.”

In both cases, it is not an option for others to find a person a job. Instead, they can learn how and where to look, but they have to do the work of finding.

Someone has to make the first move when you planning a job change →

When you’re changing your life’s direction, it will often impact more than just yourself. Sometimes the person seen making the first move toward a new goal has an advantage, and then again, it can also be a disadvantage. The first move reveals a direction and sets up others to help or block the actions.

The first step should be clarifying your motivations and what aspects of expected changes will appeal most to you. That can mean that research has to be done. Analysis and internal examination of motives don’t need to be seen as a first step and don’t need to signal the coming changes to others.

The informational interview is an apparent 1st move. Consider the industry, the companies in the industry, and the job itself that might be of industry, and before you apply, work through these options asking for some time and then just listening. I think finding a position to apply for will help if you have some idea about the industry, companies, competitors, and trade jargon, and informational interviews can help.

If you are looking for a career change are Startup Jobs Worth It? →

Working in a startup can offer you one of the best chances of rapid personal growth if the company succeeds. Moreover, the learning opportunities at a startup could benefit you throughout your career. However, it seems clear that at some point, the experience of successfully working with a startup has future value in the job market and will help you stand out from the competition.

Startups place loads of responsibility on their employees because they usually help with everything outside a rigid and established job description where opportunities for learning and growth are plentiful. Owners and employees work together, often with no middle management, and you can learn from the sources. The hours will likely be extended and the pay low, but when you leave the company, you may stand out as a real expert if the work fits your overall resume direction.

The risk for these career choices is accurate, as shown by the "Small Business Administration (SBA) report in 2019 that showed the failure rate of startups was around 90%. The research concludes that 21.5% of startups fail in the first year, 30% in the second year, 50% in the fifth year, and 70% in their 10th year."

Research with the startup business owners found that reasons for failure included money running out, being in the wrong market, a lack of research, bad partnerships, ineffective marketing, and not being an expert in the industry—all reasons why startups are just risky.

Job Seeking candidates I have worked with sometimes tell me about these opportunities and think they are "better than nothing.” They have long been looking for a good career fit and are mentally exhausted. In those situations, their motives are not helping them make the right decision, but the potential employer who would hire them likely sees that also, and the employer’s motives might not be right either. Perhaps in those cases, they are just looking for cheap help.

If the startup fails, some or all the employees may find the experience on their resume will not be a plus.

Job Candidates who feel desperate may only make things worse in the long run by jumping into a job that is a considerable risk or from which the work is outside their current career focus. It is always better instead to help them find a job fit that will last, build on their skill set and enable them to recover from their challenges.


#startupjobs #startups #linkedin #career #jobs #jobseekers

How many jobs will today's college graduate have over their lifetime? →

The average person changes jobs 12 times in their lifetime, according to the latest available public survey data (2019).

  • The average employee stays with their employer for 4.1 years as of January 2020.

  • However, this number varies slightly between women (3.9 years) and men (4.3 years).

  • Men hold 12.5 jobs in their lifetime, while women have 12.1 jobs.

If a person is going to change jobs 12 times over a lifetime, it would be helpful to find a way not to start from scratch in the searching process each time. This means that the work you do in your job search should not end when you find a job. One important example of where the work needs to continue is networking.

For a network of contacts to be compelling needs to be active. Prioritizing those in the network, identifying who has the best connections and industry focus, and then making sure you stay connected and try to keep in contact and add value to the relationship over the years is essential.

Staying in contact with your network allows you to be updated on their interests and needs so you can bring value to them. Attending networking events will make you a more valuable and informed employee when you are working and make those events far more helpful for you when you are looking for another job again. Certifications and staying current with your professional focus is often a catch-up game when your unemployed so staying active in trade shows and being a student of your industry while employed is very important.

LinkedIn is an important asset when you’re looking for a job. It helps you find jobs that match your skills and likewise helps those employers find you. Your LinkedIn profile confirms your professional credentials, and they should stay current and relevant while you are employed and when you’re looking for a job.

Don’t end up starting your job search 12 times from scratch over your career.

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