Author Archives: Laura Machan

February 16, 2017 · 9:43 am

Cover Letters – Eagle or Albatross?

People offer to send me cover letters all the time.  I tell them not to bother.  My job is to provide notes to my client about each candidate so in effect, I am writing the cover letter for them.

But what about when you are applying to jobs directly?

It can be tricky to decide but whatever you do, cover letters need to be written individually.

You can have a standard paragraph in the middle but the rest of it needs to be customized every time.envelope

If you are applying to a position online and there is no mention of a cover letter, then you can probably get away with just your resume.  Many application systems have questionnaires as part of the application process.  That is the company’s way of getting most of what would be in a cover letter.

If you see a posting that asks specifically for a cover letter, then pay attention to what it’s asking for.  A lot of times, an employer wants you to lay out your goals, achievements or maybe why you think you are right for them/the role.

Take a look at the tone of the ad and also look at their website.  Try to get a feel for the culture and use this to decide the tone and format of your note.  If the company is really creative or casual, use that style but if it seems corporate and formal, then go with that.

If you are referred by someone, you definitely need a cover letter that explains who referred you, their relationship with you and why the role matters to you.

Two points to remember:

Keep your cover letter short and to the point.  It is not your life story.  It should talk about who you are, what you are good at and how to get in touch.  All those other details are in your resume.

Double and triple check the spelling – especially the name and title of the person you are addressing.  Nothing gets your letter in the trash faster than misspelling someone’s name.

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January 26, 2017 · 9:45 am

It’s Just as Hard at the Top

Barack Obama is on a job search.  What does one do after one has been the leader of the free world?  

It’s not as easy as you might think.  Sure, he has a vast network of international politicians and dignitaries but what do they know about finding a job?

  • Let’s loook at his recent experience:
  • Delivering earnest speeches
  • Consoler in Chief
  • Negotiating everything from multi latereral trade deals to agricultural deals
  • Wearing only white shirts and blue suits

After eight years of this, what is he ready to do next?  Of course, he will start a foundation and write him memoirs but really, then what?  He is a young guy with a long future ahead of him.  

I guess he could go back to being a law professor.  Students would line up forever to hear him give lectures.  While I am sure that would be gratifying, I don’t think it would compete with his former life.  

And would a University Dean would hire him?  Can’t you just imagine the questions?

“You seem a little experienced for this role…..why are you interested in it?”

“I see that you have travelled extensively.  This role has no opportunity for travel.  Won’t you get bored?”

He would face the same wierd questions we all do.  Employers are nervous whether you are a former President of the United States or a former president of the Star Trek Fan Club.

The key for him and for you is to learn to tell your stories and explain your experience with confidence and clarity.  

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January 19, 2017 · 9:43 am

To Refer or Not to Refer

One of the first lessons you learn as a recruiter is to ask for referrals.  If you are talking with someone and they are not interested or qualified, you should ask if there is anyone they would recommend for the role.

I always thought this made sense.  People like to be asked for their opinion and generally, people like to be helpful.  I figured it would feel pretty good to help someone discover a new job that they really like.arrow

But then I listened to a podcast where a software engineer said he felt used when he is asked for referrals.  His feeling was the the recruiter was not going to earn a fee from him/his experience and yet he was being asked to provide information that would lead to the recruiter earning a fee from someone else.  And in the end, he would get nothing.

I was struck by such strong cynicism.  It rolled round in my head for a week and I actually stopped asking people for suggestions.

Now that the dust has settled, here are my observations. He worked as a leader in an industry that is desperately short of talent.  He did not say this but I bet he gets called by recruiters every other day.  I am sure his patience runs thin with our industry.  He is also working in an American company and while I don’t have empirical proof, I bet the attitudes here about helping out are different.  Who in Canada would not buy someone a Tim Horton’s double double if they needed it?

What do you think?  Is it rude and presumptuous to ask someone for referrals if a job is not right for them?

 

 

 

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January 12, 2017 · 9:43 am

Cold Weather Interview Prep

It’s winter here in Canada and if you are doing the interview circuit, you need to be prepared.

There is nothing worse than sniffling during a conversation.  You try to be subtle by wiggling your nose or casually wiping your sleeve near your nose but face it: there is no substitute for a tissue.  So start each day by putting one in your pocket, sleeve or bra strap.

If you have a bit of a cough or a tickle (and who doesn’t these days?), then put some lozenges or tic tacs in your pocket, purse or briefcase. You can pop one while you are waiting for your meeting to start.  It will give you something to do with your hands.

Make sure you give yourself extra time before the interview but don’t hang around the reception area – that’s not cool.  Plan to take a few minutes in the lobby for your body temperature to sort itself out.  Your face and hands will be cold but your armpits will be working overtime so rather than greet the person you are meeting with cold hands and the tell-tale half moons of nervousness, spend a few minutes in the lobby.  Take off your coat, blow your nose and wait until everything comes to room temperature.  Then head upstairs to announce your presence.

Finally, no matter how much of a Tim Horton’s or Starbucks fan you are, don’t take your coffee into the meeting unless you are prepared to offer some to the other person.

So to sum up:  arrive early, finish your latte in the lobby, pop a tic tac and set yourself up for a great conversation.

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January 5, 2017 · 9:43 am

Stay on Track with your Career Resolutions

We are almost at the end of the first week of 2017.  How are those new years resolutions working out?  Still bringing your lunch to work?  Been to the gym a couple of times?

And how about your career?  Any thoughts on that during the holidays?  Probably not….way too much family, friends and Netflix.

You can still make change.  It just takes one small step at a time.  Here is something you can do today.clock

Get a friend or colleague to look at your LinkedIn profile while you read through theirs. Take about five minutes. Make some notes on the things that you like  and some notes on what you think might be missing. Consider things like their career path, successes, causes, projects and even their photo. You have a more objective point of view of their work and that’s where your opinion adds real value.

When you are done, get together and compare notes.  You should each get some good flashes of insight into how to present yourself more fully to the LinkedIn world.  If you want to really go all out, make the changes that you feel are warranted and then show your profile to someone outside of your workplace or work group.  Feedback without the immediate work context can be really helpful as well.

Tip:  when you edit your profile,  turn off the button that notifies your connections about your changes (it’s on the right hand side of the page).  There is nothing more annoying than 500 people congratulating you on a new role when all you did was fix a typo.

 

 

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December 29, 2016 · 9:43 am

Out of Office Notification

No career/job/networking blather today – I am too busy writing thank you notes.glass2

I hope you have fun and at least slightly indulgent plans for New Year’s Eve.

When you are making all those resolutions, don’t forget your career!

All the best for 2o17 – may it be one of growth and success for us all!

Laura

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December 22, 2016 · 9:43 am

Give the Gift of Connections

There is a small but really important article in the Globe and Mail this morning.  It talks about how difficult it is for kids to get their start in the job market.

A federal government panel has released its interim report and it is focused on employers’ reliance on the digital application process.  We know as adults how frustrating it can be to spend 30 minutes filling in an online application that feels less and less relevant as we click through each window.

We get around this by networking.  We talk to friends and former colleagues and the guys we sit next to at hockey practice.

buttonKids, even really social kids, often don’t have the right kind of connections to get them started.  This is especially true if they want to do work that is different from what their parents have done.

We thought that internships would solve this problem.  Kids would get an introduction into the work environment and then either get hired or get recognized by others in the field.  This is only true in some cases.  Free labour, energy and enthusiasm does not always turn into paid work.  At 20, this can be pretty disheartening.

Kids need our social connections to workplaces and industries.  It’s a tough road for them and we need to help.  I am not talking about just our own kids.  I am talking about the kid next door, the nieces and nephews, the kid who walks your dog when you are away.

You will likely see a lot of young people over the next week.  Stop for a moment to chat with them.  Ask about their studies and their plans.  It will seem like they are rolling their eyes.  Ignore this.  It’s just habit.  Think for a moment about whether you know someone or something that might be helpful and offer it up.

At the very least, ask if they are on LinkedIn and offer to connect.

Getting young people into good work situations should be on all of our minds.  Let’s do as much as we can.

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Filed under Job Search, linkedin, Networking, Resume

December 15, 2016 · 9:45 am

Yay! A holiday party!

I don’t know about you but the next two weeks on my calendar are sprinkled with pot lucks, lunches and cocktails. This is generally where I roll my eyes and find other things to do.

But this year is going to be different. I am looking at each get together as an opportunity to learn new things.

I am going to try not to gossip about people in other departments or complain about the weather, Instead, I am going to positive and maybe even interesting.

For example, when someone asks me how things are going, my response is not going to be “busy”. Of course I am busy. Everyone is busy. We would not have jobs if we were not busy.

Instead I am going to talk about one of the search projects I am working on. This opens the door for much more interesting conversation than “I am so busy”.

I am also going to avoid asking about people’s plans for the holidays. There are lots of people who are not going skiing in the Swiss Alps or dining with celebrities. While it can be fun to hear about those adventures, it can be depressing too.

I am going to ask about Netflix instead.  I plan on some heavy binge watching over the holidays and I need some recommendations.

If I can stick to this plan, I should be able to come away from this holiday season with lots of new ideas and information which will be an excellent foundation for my big plans in 2017.

Cheers!

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December 8, 2016 · 9:43 am

Top Ten Gifts for Job Seekers

It’s that time of year again – the time of year when we fill the malls looking for the perfect gifts.  Is there a job seeker on your list?  It’s unlikely you can find them a job to wrap up and put under the tree but here are some things they might really appreciate.

  • A new dress shirt and scarf/tie – that’s bound to make them feel better as they step into their next interview
  • A month of LinkedIn Premium – you can read about that here.gift
  • A couple of hours with a career coach
  • A compilation of the best career podcasts or TED Talks
  • A gift subscription to a magazine. A real magazine that comes in the mail.  That way when they go to the mailbox, there will be something good to look at instead of just bills.
  • A gift certificate from Vistaprint for business cards or personalized thank you notes
  • Resume review with an experienced resume editor
  • A fancy pen or folio to complete the accessories for their interview outfit
  • Guest passes to a couple of yoga or meditation classes
  • Coffee gift cards. There will always be time to use up before interviews and wrapping your hands around a hot cup of coffee or tea is a lovely way to deal with that.  As an added bonus, if they meet someone randomly, they can offer to take them for coffee without worrying about having cash.

All the best for some great shopping!

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December 1, 2016 · 9:43 am

There’s something about you……

You know how they say a change is as good as a rest?  I tried it this week and it worked.

This is going to sound trivial but, stay with me…there is a good lesson here.  ronwhite_gladys-nudebouquet_1

I hit my favourite (and generally not affordable) shoe store for Black Friday.  Lo and behold, there was a pair of beautiful high heeled shoes in my size.  And they fit. And they were less than half price.  And I bought them.

I wore them on Monday in my office.  (Not to my office, just in my office). They make me two and half inches taller and they have flowers on them.  Not showy but definitely noticeable.

It was a bit like having new glasses or a slightly different hair cut. People don’t gasp at the difference.  They just step back and squint at you trying to figure out what’s different.

Boom!

They are, in that instant, reevaluating who they thought you were and what you are capable of.

For example, I walked up to someone who I have worked with for years and as I started to talk, I could see him processing the fact that I was at eye level.  I could tell it was a different experience for him.  His tone of voice was different and he seemed to be giving more consideration to what I was saying.  Who knew?

I do not consider myself to be stylish at all.  I am not up on the latest fads and I do not have a personal shopper but given this experience, I might actually spend some time thinking about my accessories.

Why not make people stop and pause at the Christmas party?  It might open up new avenues of conversation with people who matter and that’s where the good work comes from.

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